Author Topic: PC question (Read 4193 times)

micki · « **on:** December 15, 2007, 19:39:23 »

Does anyone know the easiest way to back up outlook express mail? I need to do a system recover on my PC so I am backing everything up. I've never backed up and reinstalled my e-mail before. Step by step directions would be great!

Secondgen · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2007, 20:24:32 »

If you are just wanting to keep your current e-mails micki you could send them to an online mail provider like your Yahoo mail account. Whenever I reformat my PC I always send my mail to my yahoo account then back to my outlook address.

micki · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2007, 20:29:51 »

I have been trying to download an ipod and a printer and neither will work. I contacted HP and the only thing they could come up with is I may have a virus or spyware. I need to wipe my PC out but I don't want to lose my outlook express e-mails. They said to back them up and reinstal after I recover the PC back to factory settings, but I don't know how to do that.

micki · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2007, 20:30:52 »

I have a lot of business e-mail that I need to save so there are several folders of e-mails.

Secondgen · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2007, 20:46:06 »

Just forward them to your yahoo mail account. Or if you have a cd burner you could back them up that way by putting them on a disk.

micki · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2007, 20:50:09 »

I think I've figures out a way to back them up on CD. What a PAIN this is!

Thanks for your suggestions.

Secondgen · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2007, 20:52:57 »

Not a problem micki. I too have learned the hard way.

REDPYRO · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2007, 21:09:57 »

this is easy...let me look it up, i just did it for my dad today

REDPYRO · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2007, 21:12:01 »

Copy Mail Files to a Backup Folder

To make a backup copy of your Outlook Express e-mail message files:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. On the Maintenance tab, click Store Folder.
3. Select the folder location, and then press CTRL+C to copy the location.
4. Click Cancel, and then click Cancel again to close the dialog box.
5. Click Start, and then click Run.
6. In the Open box, press CTRL+V, and then click OK.
7. On the Edit menu, click Select All.
8. On the Edit menu, click Copy, and then close the window.
9. Right-click any empty space on your desktop, click New, and then click Folder.
10. Type mail backup for the folder name, and then press ENTER.
11. Double-click the Mail Backup folder to open it.
12. On the Edit menu, click Paste.
13. Close the Mail Backup window.

Then once system is restored go the that same maintenance folder and copy the folder from the cd you burned it on to the outlook express folder.

can also back up your addy book

REDPYRO · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2007, 21:12:42 »

this might help

http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_move_my_outlook_express_folders_to_my_new_machine.html

micki · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2007, 21:34:52 »

Well, apparently I don't have outlook "express". I guess I just have outlook office 2003? What can you do with that one Matt?

micki · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2007, 21:36:46 »

Microsoft office outlook 2003 to be exact.

REDPYRO · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2007, 22:24:13 »

http://8help.osu.edu/3009.html

micki · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2007, 07:13:41 »

Thanks Matt, I followed step by step and it still wont allow me to send it to a disc. I can send to a thumb drive but I can't open it after it's in the thumb drive. I'm not sure why it won't go to the CD. It's a data CD so I don[t think that's a problem. Any suggestions?

REDPYRO · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:27:37 »

yo0u shouldnt be able to open it. its a compressed backup file.

what is wrong with your computer that they want you to wipe it clean?

micki · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:28:55 »

I have a virus. I am unable to down load any new software. Printer, and ipod

micki · « **Reply #16 on:** December 16, 2007, 08:29:55 »

Quote from: REDPYRO on December 16, 2007, 08:27:37

yo0u shouldnt be able to open it. its a compressed backup file.

what is wrong with your computer that they want you to wipe it clean?

It won't back up to a CD at all. It will go to the thumb drive but how do I know I can restore it later?

REDPYRO · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2007, 09:31:12 »

directions to restore should have been on that page. you load the program and import the file. the import will open the compressed file back up.

like i said yesterday my dad got a new computer and i moved all his email, web favorites and files to his new computer so it would be just like the old one.

this was in outlook express but outlook should work the same way

REDPYRO · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2007, 09:33:20 »

what virus do you have?

i say these tech people are taking the easy road and are full of sh@t with a full system wipe.

thats what i would do as a tech person being paid $6 an hour to help people with no knowledge of computers...do it easy and fast so they will leave you alone and you can make your per minute customer quota.

you can tell non computer people anything as a person with knowledge. they dont know any better. trust me people did it all the time at the place i worked a in college.

rmstevensiii · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2007, 09:34:38 »

Micki...

With MS Outlook, you can archive your messages to what is called, an offline folder (.pst file), and copy them back once your PC is restored. I could try an explain the process here, but the help in Outlook offers a much better explanation, with links to the necessary screens/commands.

Launch the help wizard in Outlook with the F1 function key.
Do a search on "Archive". There are step by step instructions for backing up your msgs to a .pst and step by step instructions on how to restore the files. If the resulting .pst file is small enough, you will be able to restore it if you back it up to your thumb-drive. It's no diff than it would be if you archived it to CD.

However, I would not think that a virus would cause the probs that you are having with your IPOD and printer. Which anti-virus software are you running? Does your anti-virus software report any viruses on your PC? If your current AV software does not take care of the virus, you may want to try again with a diff software before formatting the drive.

Try this one... it's free: http://www.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-virus/us/crp/0

If you do not have a virus, there are a few add'l things that you can try. If you are connecting your IPOD and printer via USB, have you tried a different cable? Tried a different USB port? Do other devices work when they are plugged into the same port or with the same cable? Did support ask you to check the status of the device in the device manager (accessed via the system console in the control panel). Are you running WinXP or Vista?

micki · « **Reply #20 on:** December 16, 2007, 10:00:37 »

I'm headding out for a bit. When I get back later today I'll look into this more. rmstevensiii, to answer some of your questions... I am running them from a USB. They both use different cables. I can run other things from the USB like my camera, and the thumb drives. I have also tried other USB ports with the printer and ipod and they still don't work.

Accordint to AVG I do have a virus and 3 trojan's.

I was using AVG and windows fire wall thing. I guess that wasn't good enough.

REDPYRO · « **Reply #21 on:** December 16, 2007, 10:52:53 »

to many porn site visits will do that to ya....remove the virus...or tell what it is we can probably help you without wiping your computer clean

rmstevensiii · « **Reply #22 on:** December 16, 2007, 11:40:48 »

And FYI... I don't really recommend that you rely on the Windows firewall as your only firewall. The Windows firewall only blocks inbound connections, folks trying to connect to your machine. It does not scan, filter, or block outbound connections, so it, by itself, is not enough to secure your system (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,117380-page,1/article.html). If you have a virus on your PC which is collecting data and sending it to a 3rd party, the Windows firewall will not stop or alert you to that traffic.

I suggest that you (and everyone) use a firewall blocks both inbound and outbound connections. Symantec, Norton, and Mcafee, are some of the well known products which can be purchased, and some of the freebies are ZoneAlarm or Comodo's freebie.

reviews.cnet.com/4244-3667_7-0-1.html?query=firewall&tag=cat_1
www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tag=fil&qt=firewall&sort=&operatingSystems=128&licenseType=49&fileSize=&ca=

No matter what virus protection tools you use, they are only effective if the signature files are kept up to date, and you periodically run a full system scan. Most products will allow you to schedule both the update and scan. My system is configured to update daily and scan once per wk, off-hours.

Depending on your web-surfing habits, you should also run some sort of anti-spyware periodically. There are some good free products out there, but I don't think the free products will let you schedule the scan. I use, and recommend Adware (www.adware.com), and periodically, manually run the scan. If you are the only user of the PC, and you stick to the common, large portal sites, ie... Yahoo, MSN, Google, I'd consider your risks to be low. If, however, you follow every link, open every attachment, d/l free screensavers, tickers, etc, or if you or other users of the PC spend time on the online gaming sites, I'd consider your risk to be high to very high. For example... my daughter uses my machine, and gets click-happy when she's looking for free games, ringtones, etc, and has inadvertently downloaded viruses and spyware on several occasions. But (knock on wood) to date, I've been able to catch and clean them up, before there was damage.

Keeping up on your firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware protection, will save you time, frustration, and potential data-loss in the future. If you don't, it's only a matter of time.

Just my .02,

Mitch

micki · « **Reply #23 on:** December 16, 2007, 19:57:00 »

I am pretty much the only one that uses this machine. Once in a while my older son and daughter in law will use it but that's rare. I typically don't go to porn sites, but, I've learned if you spell something wrong you could be in trouble!

I use adware but don't run the full scan every day or anything. The AVG I had set for nightly updates and checks.

As for the virus it says the name is 0(1)htm. It says it's found on JS/Downloader Agent. I have no idea what that is. It says it's healable but I don't know how. when I click on the "heal" thing on AVG is says action failed.

Any thoughts?

ohioreef · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:13:30 »

Some viruses will interfere with the AV software. I let my subscription to Norton expire once and I picked up a virus that interfered with Norton. I had to use Windows Live CareOne scanner, http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?redir=true, to find and clear out the virus. Once it was cleared out I was able to uninstall and then reinstall Norton.

I run Norton Internet Security as my AV and firewall. Once a month or so I run an Ad-Aware scan to look for spyware. The Ad-Aware basic is free, but you can't schedule scans, you just have to make sure you do it manually every so often.

As far as the emails, archiving the files files to a .pst file is fairly simple.

micki · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:15:05 »

Gary I noteced a few weeks or so ago that my AVG wasn't running. I'm guessing this is why.

ohioreef · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:17:17 »

Could very well be. Was your AVG updating the virus definitions automatically? I use the AVG on the kids computer and it updates automatically.

micki · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:18:51 »

Yep, I had it set up to do it on it's own automatically.

micki · « **Reply #28 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:19:54 »

What is "about Blank" There are times when I get on this site and suddenly the pages start loading and never stop until I control Alt Delete and close it down. I am installing the link you just gave me Gary and got an error that said about blank.

micki · « **Reply #29 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:21:20 »

Now I con't close that down because of the error.

ohioreef · « **Reply #30 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:22:32 »

Sounds like you've got some serious issues!!

micki · « **Reply #31 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:22:58 »

Yep... sucks let me tell ya!

ohioreef · « **Reply #32 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:24:49 »

A complete reboot is probably definately what you need to do. One word of caution, if the virus came in on an email and you reload all your emails, you run the risk of reinfecting your computer!

What are the name of the viruses you have? Norton usually has removal instructions on their website.

micki · « **Reply #33 on:** December 16, 2007, 20:36:26 »

I guess this is the virus name. 0(1)htm.

rmstevensiii · « **Reply #34 on:** December 16, 2007, 22:02:28 »

That's prob not the name of the virus, but it does point to a problem. Here's where the good PC techs start to earn there money.

First off, I'd try loading/running a diff virus protection software to see if you can remove the virus. This is by far, the easiest method for cleaning up your machine.

Option 2 will require that you use/borrow a boot disk for XP or the XP install media. Using this, you will be able to boot your PC from CD without running any of the pre-installed components, including the virus files. Once running, you can run your AV software and prob remove virus.

If that does not clear the prob, there is a possibility that you have a "rootkit" virus which will require an even more specific removal process. Rootkit viruses install in the master boot record of the hard drive. Your system will not run without accessing the MBR. In this case, you may need a virus removal tool specific to the virus that you are trying to remove. I've not yet had to clean up 1 of these, but with the right tool, it should not be too bad.

micki · « **Reply #35 on:** December 17, 2007, 06:12:55 »

I've ordered a set of recovery disc's. Will that take care of the boot disc? So if I got Mcafee would that bee an ok program for cleaning this up?

t sound "easy" to you but to me....

Sometimes just wiping it out sounds the easiest.

ohioreef · « **Reply #36 on:** December 17, 2007, 21:48:08 »

The one benefit to wiping it out and starting over is that you will rid your register of all that extra crap that is sitting in there slowing down your computer.

micki · « **Reply #37 on:** December 18, 2007, 05:55:59 »

If I could figure out the e-mail back up I wouldn't mind wiping it out so much.

micki · « **Reply #38 on:** December 28, 2007, 07:50:31 »

Ok, I ended up forwarding e-mails to my work and I will be restoring this PC back to factory setings. I don't have the patience to deal with trying to figure out how to clean this up! So, if I never see you all again it was nice knowing you!!!

ohioreef · « **Reply #39 on:** December 28, 2007, 08:23:02 »

Good luck!!!

micki · « **Reply #40 on:** December 28, 2007, 11:31:16 »

Ok, I'm back up and running, but... I can't remember how to make all the icons and words bigger! I can barely read this! If anyone lmpws please share...

Secondgen · « **Reply #41 on:** December 28, 2007, 11:53:07 »

Whats your resolution set at Micki?

micki · « **Reply #42 on:** December 28, 2007, 12:07:06 »

where do I find that?

REDPYRO · « **Reply #43 on:** December 28, 2007, 12:37:49 »

oh my....micki i dont know if you should own a computer...seriously girl

right click on desktop and select properties

then settings tab

look at screen resolution. for you, you probably want 1024x768 or if your really blind 800x600

micki · « **Reply #44 on:** December 28, 2007, 13:47:36 »

WOW now I can see what I'm typing!

Oh yeah... it's all coming back to me now!

I actually did that but thought it was for the color settings only.

Thanks for the help!

micki · « **Reply #45 on:** December 28, 2007, 13:50:47 »

Now if I could figure out how to get back the outlook express that I had before.

ohioreef · « **Reply #46 on:** December 28, 2007, 14:32:29 »

What is the problem? Is it an older version?

I would highly suggest that once you've reloaded everything and you can get online, go do a Windows Update. If you've restored everything back to the original configuration you will have deleted all the Windows updates. That will probably bring back your OE.

micki · « **Reply #47 on:** December 28, 2007, 14:34:42 »

Good point Gary. This is such a PITA!

REDPYRO · « **Reply #48 on:** December 28, 2007, 14:44:21 »

i hate IE and outlook express. i recommend firefox for internet and thunderbird for email

both free and just as easy to use as IE and Outlook express

www.mozilla.com

micki · « **Reply #49 on:** December 28, 2007, 15:26:17 »

Looks easy enough. What is the main difference between the two?

micki · « **Reply #50 on:** December 28, 2007, 15:27:20 »

Can thunderbird be used with my RR e-mail?

micki · « **Reply #51 on:** December 28, 2007, 15:50:13 »

I think I've figured it out. I may use this for a few days to see if I like it.

micki · « **Reply #52 on:** December 29, 2007, 14:50:54 »

Well get this... When I bought this PC a few years or so ago it was a demo and everything was already downloaded including microsoft 2003. I was told this PC didn't have any CD's because you make your recovery disc on your own. Which I found to be correct. However, I can't download anything for microsoft office 2003 because I don't have a serial number that came with the disk! So I call Staples (and did some checking on some web sites) and found the cheapest I can get microsoft 2003 is around $160.00!!! Totally sucks! So, if anyone knows where I can get 2003 much less than the $160.00 please let me know.

ohioreef · « **Reply #53 on:** December 29, 2007, 16:47:57 »

I might be able to help you out! You're a teacher, right.......

I have the student/teacher version at home. I think it's good for 3 computers, I have it on 2.

ohioreef · « **Reply #54 on:** December 29, 2007, 16:50:03 »

Micki,

Even w/o discs you should have gotten documentation with the serial numbers on it. Should have one for Windows as well as Office.

micki · « **Reply #55 on:** December 29, 2007, 21:31:40 »

Quote from: ohioreef on December 29, 2007, 16:47:57

I might be able to help you out! You're a teacher, right.......

I have the student/teacher version at home. I think it's good for 3 computers, I have it on 2.

As a matter of fact I am a teacher!

That would be great Gary! I'm at a loss without it...

micki · « **Reply #56 on:** December 29, 2007, 21:32:25 »

Quote from: ohioreef on December 29, 2007, 16:50:03

Micki,

Even w/o discs you should have gotten documentation with the serial numbers on it. Should have one for Windows as well as Office.

I don't think they included it and I didn't think/know to ask for it.

REDPYRO · « **Reply #57 on:** December 30, 2007, 00:09:19 »

as a teacher you can legally use a school copy to load it at home.

if you cant get it from school let me know i have a copy you can install

ohioreef · « **Reply #58 on:** December 30, 2007, 07:22:40 »

Quote from: REDPYRO on December 30, 2007, 00:09:19

as a teacher you can legally use a school copy to load it at home.

if you cant get it from school let me know i have a copy you can install

If that's the case, Matt's copy would be "more legal" than mine would probably be.

micki · « **Reply #59 on:** December 30, 2007, 07:58:43 »

Thanks to both of you!

REDPYRO · « **Reply #60 on:** December 30, 2007, 10:01:00 »

Quote from: ohioreef on December 30, 2007, 07:22:40

If that's the case, Matt's copy would be "more legal" than mine would probably be.

no it wouldnt...but if you got it from school it would...i am just saying...tjat is not where mine came fom

ohioreef · « **Reply #61 on:** December 30, 2007, 20:15:16 »

Mine isn't from the school. We purchased it ourselves after the trial period ran out.

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Author Topic: PC question (Read 4193 times)