Member Avatar for lem321@aol.com

Hi,
I am trying to recover the data from my address book (Microsoft Outlook). The data is on a hard drive from an old computer (Dell Inspiron 4000 with Windows 2000 Pro) that would not boot up because of an explorer.exe problem. However I can access these files using the old hard drive as an external drive on my new computer (Dell X-1 runs Windows XP sp2).

How do I import my old address book to the new computer?

Wilson Lem

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Nice outcome — ’s copy approach solved ’s case. Below is a concise, practical checklist and extra context for others who land on this thread later (different tools store “contacts” in different places, and the recovery steps depend on which format you actually have).

Outlook Express / Windows Address Book (WAB): contacts are stored in a .wab file (Windows Address Book). On XP/2000 you can search the old drive for *.wab (and the temporary ~wa files) to find the file, then import it into Outlook Express (File → Import → Address Book) or, on newer Windows, import the WAB into Windows Contacts. If you find more than one .wab, import into a fresh identity to identify the correct file without overwriting anything. (support.microsoft.com)

Microsoft Outlook (not Express): Outlook stores contacts inside a data file — a PST for many POP/standalone setups, or an OST for Exchange/IMAP accounts. The data-file location varies by Outlook/Windows version; the safest way is to locate the data file from Outlook’s Account Settings → Data Files, copy the PST from the old drive, and then open or import it with Outlook’s Import/Export (Import from Outlook Data File (.pst)). (support.microsoft.com)

If a .wab was deleted (no backup) — what to do: first check the Recycle Bin and search the old drive from another machine. If nothing shows, stop using that drive and run a reputable undelete tool (portable mode) from a separate PC or USB stick to avoid overwriting recoverable data; Recuva is a common free option and its docs recommend using a portable copy to improve chances. If you recover a .wab, copy it to your desktop and import into a new OE identity (or use the Import command). Recovery isn’t guaranteed, so act quickly and avoid writing to the disk. (support.microsoft.com)

Quick takeaway: confirm whether you need a .wab or a .pst, search the old drive for that filename/type, import into a fresh profile when testing, and use portable recovery tools only if the file is missing.

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Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

You need to copy the application data from the old drive to the new.

Note you will need to be able to see hidden files. In My Computer, got to tools menu, folder options. Then the view tab. Scroll down till you see "Hidden files and folders" and select show hidden files and folders. Apply then OK.

Navigate to

(drive letter):\Documents and settings\(your user name)\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook.

Where drive letter represents the second hard drive. copy the contents to the same location where drive letter represents your new hard drive.

If I'm good at my job, that will restore your data, if I am not, let me know...

Member Avatar for lem321@aol.com

You need to copy the application data from the old drive to the new.

Note you will need to be able to see hidden files. In My Computer, got to tools menu, folder options. Then the view tab. Scroll down till you see "Hidden files and folders" and select show hidden files and folders. Apply then OK.

Navigate to

(drive letter):\Documents and settings\(your user name)\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook.

Where drive letter represents the second hard drive. copy the contents to the same location where drive letter represents your new hard drive.

If I'm good at my job, that will restore your data, if I am not, let me know...

MartyMcFly,
Thanks for your advice. It hit the nail on the head! I actually found the solution before your post as I was searching for this file but couldn't find it until I happen to revise the search to show hidden files - didn't know there was such a thing. Again, thanks a bunch!!
Wilson

Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

Cool, glad you sorted it out, (and I'm not bad at my job!)

Member Avatar for rashida69

by mistake i deleat my address book from outlook express 6 but i dont have back up how do i recove it please help me

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