Re-install

[Mike C]

I had to re-install windows XP and Office 2002 due to a virus. Of course
after the install my contacts and saved messages were all gone. Is there any
way to recover an old saved message folder? Is there anyway to recover an
old address book? I assume everything was written over due to the install
and it can not be, just wishing I guess.

 

[BillR [MVP]]

usually, a reinstall wont' overwrite your data file. All of your old data
*should* be saved in a file with a .pst extension. Search your drive for it
and open it via File | Open .....
then copy the items to your new pst.
note that the pst might be hidden.

I had to re-install windows XP and Office 2002 due to a virus. Of course
after the install my contacts and saved messages were all gone. Is there
any
way to recover an old saved message folder? Is there anyway to recover an
old address book? I assume everything was written over due to the install
and it can not be, just wishing I guess.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I had to re-install windows XP and Office 2002 due to a virus. Of
course after the install my contacts and saved messages were all
gone. Is there any way to recover an old saved message folder? Is
there anyway to recover an old address book? I assume everything was
written over due to the install and it can not be, just wishing I
guess.

Depends on how you reinstalled Windows. If you reformatted the disk and
then installed, naturally everything is gone. That's the whole point of
formatting the disk. It deletes any trace of the virus, but at the same
time it deletes any trace of anything you added to the disk. If you did a
repair install, there's no guarantee the virus is gone, but your mail may
still be there. Outlook keeps your data in a file with type ".pst" that's
usually stored in a hidden folder. Enable searching hidden files and
folders and look for *.pst. If you find one other than your current one,
use Outlook's File>Open>Outlook Data File top see if that's your old data.

 

[Mike C]

Thanks guys! Keeping my fingers crossed until I get home!

Mike C