backing up outlook etc

[zeroboo]

recently got myself a new, bigger hard disk for my laptop and wish to replace my existing hard disk. rather than doing a image over i thought i'd take this chance to do a clean install.

anyways, how do i go about backing up my outlook emails, contacts and say like passwords from smartftp?

also, i have attached images to albums for itunes sake. if i format will importing the music to itunes keep all the album pictures? can all the play count etc still be there? if no how do i go about backing that up too?

thanks for replies in advance.

[EvilBoris]

I've found the files and settings transfer wizard to be REALLY good when it comes to doing a clean install.

It creates one big file that you can then import when you have done the clean install, all your outlook stuff will be saved aswell as settings for almost all the programs you can think off, it saves all the files in my documents aswell as any other files you choose to backup.

[kernow]

for outlook, do a search for *.dbx files and back them up, thats your outlook mailbox and related folders, as far as I know

[Cobertizo]

Isn't .dbx Outlook Express? I have a vague recollection that Outlook stuff is in .pst files...

[EvilBoris]

Your actual outlook files are stored in

C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

[Bredrin]

For backing up my outlook emails, contacts I use this microsoft tool : Outlook 2003 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup

[babs]

You can always just use file > import & export > export to a file and choose pst from the list. It'll show the outlook directory structure and ask you to select what you want exported.

You can then import it all back again with exactly the same method, just choosing import instead of export.

[djjimbob]

The only one of those answers that is correct is Babs'. For Outlook.

Outlook Express is different.

[kernow]

sorry I was being remedial , yeah my option was for outlook express. but why are they different?

[babs]

As far as I'm aware, a .dbx file holds mail messages only. Contacts for example are held in a .wab (unless things have changed since I last looked). When exporting to a pst you can export just about anything that's supported in exchange, so that includes tasks, archives, contacts etc.

You can also export from OE to a .pst for importing into Outlook/Exchange. I don;t think Outlook can open a .dbx so they must use 2 seperate proprietary formats.

[EvilBoris]

Or like I sid, just use the files and settings transfer wizard and backup everything under the sun.

[zeroboo]

ok guys, because i got too excited with my new hd i forgot to backup first.

i now have my old hd[with all the data still on it] sitting in a usb container and my fresh hd installed in the laptop.

so i now need to know which files exactly i need to import my old outlook express messages and addresses.

i also had a few folders in my old hd, is it possible to get those aswell?