[lgsmith15]

"Identities" in OE. I'm trying to reduce the size of "messages" so I can back them up on CD. I duplicated the messages file, dragged one from the folder to the desktop, and deleted half the messages from the file in the Express folder, send and received. Also deleted the delete box. The file size did not reduce one bite. To my horror, the duplicate messages file on the desktop, the same messages were also deleted. This is panic time for me because I didn't want the latest half of the messages file distroyed.
How can I retreave these messages? The file size hasn't changed so they must still be there. Why did the items also delete from duplcate file? Why didn't the file size change?
Please help!
lgsmith

[car1son]

Two points.
First of all, the Messages file does not stand-alone. It is inextricably intertwined with the Database file that is in the identity folder with it. While the messages are stored in the Messages file, the pointers to those messages that define what folders they are in and enable Outlook Express to find them are located in the Database file. So, never just copy the Messages file; copy the entire "Main identity" folder (or what ever you name your identity.) you can't mix'n'match.
As to database size, I think the Outlook Express readme file explains it pretty well:

In reply to:

---

5.1 Compacting the Outlook Express 5 Mail Database
------------------------------------------------------------------
Outlook Express 5 uses a single-file database to store messages
and contacts. When you delete mail from the database, Outlook
Express does not automatically reduce the size of the database.
You can however compact the database to reduce its size.
>>>To compact the database:
1. Press and hold down OPTION while you launch Outlook Express 5.
2 When the "Would you like to compact the database?" message
appears, click Yes.

---

[lgsmith15]

Thank you so much for your help. I've learned a great deal tonight about OE data files. Now that I know what I did wrong is there any way I can recover my deleted messages? I'm hopeful that the data is still on the hard drive because the file size is the same.

[Reboot]

Just swap databases, the one you deleted from, with the copy. Quit OE first. Make sure the one you move back into Identities is the the same as what you take out.

[car1son]

I think the problem is he doesn't have two Database files. He has two Messages files. However, the e-mail messages he wants to see are marked as deleted in the Database file, so even though they are in the Messages file, Outlook Express won't look for them there.
I think a first that would be to make a complete duplicate of the current "Main identity" folder for backup purposes.
Then you might try advanced rebuild of the Outlook Express database. Launch Entourage with the option key down, as if you're going to compact the database; but when asked if you want to compact, say no. You then get asked if you want to do in Advanced/complex rebuild; say yes. I honestly don't know whether this will recover messages present in the Messages file but not in the Database file, but it is probably worth the try.
Just be sure to make that backup copy first, so you don't do any further harm,

[lgsmith15]

The problem is that I didn't know the data base and messages were intergrated until you told me. I made a copy of only the messages file not the whole identity, so both messages files use the same data base. (Big mistake on my part). Is there any way I can recover the messages (data) that I deleted?
Thank you so much.

[lgsmith15]

I tried rebuilding the data files as you described. The rebuild gave me an old and new data file and an old and new messages file but the old messages file (originally 700MB) was reduced to 144k even though I specified not to compact the file. My messages were lost. And the back up indenties were lost, too. I should have put the back up folders in a more remote location.
Fortunately I have a back up messages file, 700MB. I tried dragging it back into the indentity folder and rebooting using the old data file which didn't change size. No luck.
Is there any other way I can retrieve this message data?
Getting discouraged.
lgsmith