[JessAnnZ]

Outlook Express exported contacts amd messages as .iaf files. After a rebuild of an XP pro SP2 laptop I am unable to import these files back to Outlook Express (or Outlook 2003 for that matter). All imports are asking for .wab or .cav files, but the dying configuration only saved them as iaf. Is there any way to convert .iaf to .wab or do i need to start morning my contacts and old messages?? Thanks!!!

 

[Rollin_Again]

Unless I am mistaken an IAF file only contains configuration info about your actual email accounts such as account names, passwords, and Server addresses (POP/SMTP.) These files do not contain the actual emails or contacts.

What type of email account is this? (Hotmail, Gmail, etc?)

Rollin

 

[JessAnnZ]

thats not good. this email account was outlook express and outlook pro only. any ideas?? I am guessing that since the pc was rebuilt i am up a creek.

 

[Rollin_Again]

Outlook Express and Outlook are both email programs that pull your emails from an external mail server. Outlook Express and Outlook DO NOT describe your actual accounts they only tell which application is being used to pull your emails . What type of email account were you using? For example, if your email address end with comcast.net this would be a comcast email account, if it ends in hotmail.com then it is a hotmail account, etc. If someone sends an email to you what address would they send to? There is a good chance that your email is still residing on an external mail server somewhere and once you correctly import your IAF file they will be restored. Follow the instructions in the link below to learn how to import your account settings and keep us posted.

http://support.internetdesign.com/email/outlook2000iaf.html

Regards,
Rollin

 

[JessAnnZ]

the account is with fibernetcc.com I did connect and did recieve new messages but am still missing contacts and old messages

Also, when I import per the instuctions (from the link you gave) I get an error that there is already another directory with that name (I could be wrong on the exact verbage). I even tried to rename the file and still see the error.

 

[Rollin_Again]

If you are able to pull new messages from the email server then your account is set up correctly in your email client. If you try to import the IAF at this point you will get an error since the account you are trying to import is exactly the same as the account currently set up in the email client. Your only hope to retieve the old emails it to use a file recovery program to search your hard drive for any files with the .dbx extension. This may still be possible unless your rebuild of XP has overwriten the portion of the disk that contained those files. More than likely these emails and contacts have been lost.

Regards,
Rollin