Outlook Express vs. Full Outlook?

[Adela]

(winXP Pro, OE 6.0, IE 6.0, Dell Dimension XPS T450MHz Pentium III)

Hello, when a techi installed the winXP Pro to replace win98se on my computer, he said he'll also install Full Outlook to replace my Outlook Express, because it will be much easier to backup (because I commented to him I had trouble backing up and can't afford a burner). But I heard that Full Outlook is more complicated and that I should stay with OE.

What would be the opinion of the great experts in this forum please? Thanks so very much! Adela

[Scarecrow Man]

Both are very simple.

Outlook Express : http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=270670

Outlook : http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=287070

Both have many steps, but are very easy to follow if you do it exactly.

[Adela]

Thanks very much! Is there any advantage at all for using Outlook instead of OE? The techi who's doing this for me said I must have the Outlook to make it easier to backup since then all it needs is to put each email account in a folder, then to export it to an iOmega disk.

When he installed the winXP Pro and imported into it all my OE folders and files, he used the method of *.dbx. When I started using my email accounts, I found all the folders I had created were empty! To remedy this, I don't know exactly what he did, but he found a way to get the files belonging to the folders and put them together...however, it takes about 15 or more steps for EACH folder going back and forth to different places... He showed me how to do it and left. I typed and printed the steps he gave me and I'm still struggling with this. He said that I should've backed up everything before he installed the XP.

In addition, the few ones he did, he put the folders belonging to one email account in the wrong one, so now I don't know how to transfer those folders to the right email accounts. I'm very sorry I paid him already.

This is such a mixup, I don't know if I explained it correctly. Is there an easier way to fix this mixup you think. So sorry to put here such complicated puzzle, but if you or anyone else who reads this could advise me I'd be so grateful! Adela

[-pops-]

He said that I should've backed up everything before he installed the XP.

As he was doing a re-installation for you it was his responsibility to ensure things were backed up.

Regarding the differences between Outlook and Outlook Express, it depends whether you want an email (and newsgroup) client or a comprehensive diary and organisation system where emails are not the prime function of the program.

Outlook Express comes as part of Internet Explorer - which is, in turn, and integral part of Windows. Outlook, on the other hand, is part of MS Office and has to be paid for as a separate program (if it is a legal installation).

For a general user, I cannot see any advantage in using Outlook and if you don't know what it is, then there is no advantage at all. If you want to use newsgroups, then you are still required to access them through OE.

For backing up emails, you can either use the integral "Files & Settings Transfer Wizard" which is part of XP or you can use Windows backup and just back up those files you require. I would not recommend using Windows backup for full system backups though but, I see you are looking at the comprehensive article on backing up on the forum.

[Adela]

Oh pops I THOUGHT it was the techi's responsibility to backup before installing, but wasn't sure.

Thanks so much for explaining the difference between Outlook and OE from which I can see now that I must stay with OE as I use no newsgroups, just email and web. BUT...

...if I knew that Outlook would allow to send several messages of about 400 names in each message, at one time, and within the hour, without their holding most messages I send in the outbox for hours sometime longer than a day...then I would love to switch over. Do you happen to know anything about this? My servers said it's not their fault but OE's... (I'm looking for a... "client" I think they call them, for emails? that will allow this).

Outlook Express comes as part of Internet Explorer - which is, in turn, and integral part of Windows. Outlook, on the other hand, is part of MS Office and has to be paid for as a separate program (if it is a legal installation).

Since he didn't leave me a disk for Outlook and WinXP, it must be illegal. I hope I won't be caught by these corporations and be made to pay a big fine...or worse? Now if I ever need to reinstall WinXP Pro I'll have to pay him again! I dont even need the Pro for my home, but he said it's more comprehensive, etc. I made so many mistakes with this techi, the main one paying him before finishing, and I shouldn't have to be bothering a forum. I'm angry but afraid to complain as he may not want to complete the job! He also wanted to install a burner for $100 but don't wish to start with him again.

Also thank you for letting me know that the WinXP backup wizard is good only for emails and not for the full system. Until I can buy a DVD burner (which I think is the easiest?), I'll use the big guide-article in this forum and I hope I do it right. Meantime, may I ask you a couple of questions on burners?:

1) I've seen them for under $30 and wonder if they'd be ok? Or if not, any brand or type you'd recommend?

2) Should I also buy a drive for it? Or is the area underneath the CD drive the place for a DVD burner?

3) Also, installing the burner does it need to open the tower???

Thanks ever so much, again for all your help! Adela

[Adela]

I'm sorry, pops, that I used the wrong terms below, in my previous to last post. I believe what I called "Accounts" is actually "Identities". I searched and searched at MS support but didn't find how to transfer a folder I created and its files, from one Identity to another in the same OE. They either said to move a folder from OE to Outlook, or from OE to another machine... Adela

In addition, the few ones he did, he put the folders belonging to one email account in the wrong one, so now I don't know how to transfer those folders to the right email accounts. I'm very sorry I paid him already.

[Thos]

. Until I can buy a DVD burner (which I think is the easiest?), I'll use the big guide-article in this forum and I hope I do it right. Meantime, may I ask you a couple of questions on burners?:

1) I've seen them for under $30 and wonder if they'd be ok? Or if not, any brand or type you'd recommend?

2) Should I also buy a drive for it? Or is the area underneath the CD drive the place for a DVD burner?

3) Also, installing the burner does it need to open the tower???

Thanks ever so much, again for all your help! Adela

Others will advise about the installation of a DVD writer, but I chose to buy an external hard drive (there are plenty about, I went to Novatech and was very satisfied.... as it seems you are in the US you will probably get one much more cheaply). I plug the EHD into a USB2 socket, run Acronis in either full or incremental back-up mode about once a week in my case and feel secure.

I manage quite happily with only a CD writer, but then I don't edit camcorder tapes etc.

Thos.

[-pops-]

Like Thos, I would suggest backing up on to another hard drive - either a second one installed in your computer case or, as Thos says, an external one connected by USB (that's the easiest way :) )

DVDs are not very suitable for storing backups as they are very easily damaged (much more delicate than a CD) and for something valuable, like a backup, you can't really afford to take that risk.

If you really do want to buy a DVD burner, yes they are normally fitted alongside CD burners but if you don't have any other use for one, put the money towards another hard drive. Regarding brands, tell us what you have seen and we can tell you our thoughts on them but, I think $30 is not too cheap a price.

If you have XP and no means of re-installing it (no disk) then insist on your techie providing one. If he doesn't, I'm sure Microsoft would be very interested in contacting him (I know they are in England for things like that).

[trackrat]

Adela, are you trying to move E-Mails to another folder.

If so open OE / click on folder / if you want all of them in one go select one then press Ctrl + A to select all then right click and from the dropdown menu select move to or if you want the origonals to stay in that folder and make a copy in another folder select copy to / a box will appear with all your OE folders, just select the one you want and click OK.

[Adela]

Thank you Scarecrow Man, -pops-, Thos, and trackrat for your kindness in trying to help and I'm considering all your suggestions...except:

If you have XP and no means of re-installing it (no disk) then insist on your techie providing one. If he doesn't, I'm sure Microsoft would be very interested in contacting him...

-pops-, thanks but I don't think I can do that. I will ask him for the disk though...and I'm sure I won't get it!

trackrat, as to your suggestion:

Adela, are you trying to move E-Mails to another folder.

If so open OE / click on folder / if you want all of them in one go select one then press Ctrl + A to select all then right click and from the dropdown menu select move to or if you want the origonals to stay in that folder and make a copy in another folder select copy to / a box will appear with all your OE folders, just select the one you want and click OK.

what I need to move is the folders that I created in one of my identities; i.e.: I need to move my folders and their inside files from Identity "A" to Identity "B" in the same OE system and in the same computer (I have 3 identities). Is there a simple way to do it? Or even a complicated one? So far google and other forums like "Ask Leo", etc. offered only their pre-fabricated answers which didn't apply to my problem, such as moving folders from OE to Outlook or to another machine, etc.

Anticipating my thanks if you happen to know... :) Adela

[trackrat]

Is this of any use.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/209169#EZADAAA

[Alan2273]

Try this little program. Click on the Red download button for a 30 day trial.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/E-ma...k-Express.shtml