Problems archiving thousands of e-mails in Outlook Express

[catknsn]

My boss has about 6500 messages in his deleted items folder. Actually, he had about 10,000 but I was able to move some of them to a new folder I created, and from there move that folder to the network for storage. Now I can't get any more of the messages to move. Outlook Express freezes when I try. I can select and move individual messages but obviously I have better things to do with my day than move 6500 individual messages. Any advice? This is on a Pentium II 400MHZ Dell. The e-mails are stored on an auxiliary hard drive which is nearly full, so I am trying to move them to a network folder for storage. He does not want to lose or delete anything.

 

[smah]

Try compacting the folders. File, Folder, Compact all folders. It will take quite a while, but then see if you can move more messages.

 

[Marcs41]

catknsn. I understand you have better things to do, so let you Boss do it himself, he created the problem.
Check the Delete Items on Exit while you are at it.
Otherwise, mark 10 items to delete ands so on. Try 50 or higher. When it freezes, lower the number. In between, close and open OE a few times and compact like smah mentioned. _{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, excpect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC! - Marc}

 

[joegz]

Outlook Express was not designed to store folders on a network because of compatability issue causing the program to become unstable. This possibley could be why the program keeps freezing on you.

Move the storage folders back to a local drive and see if this helps. joegz
"Sometimes you just need to find out what it's not first to figure out what it is."

 

[catknsn]

Unfortunately, I already tried compacting them and while it did cycle through and finish, it didn't solve the problem. I cannot set it to delete on exit as he wants to keep everything. I guess it'll just be a long term project, moving them over. Although here is a question - is there any way to create an Outlook folder that actually resides on the network instead of the individual computer so messages can be moved directly there?

 

[Marcs41]

He want to keep his trash? Does he do that with normal trash too?
Explain him the use, and advice him to create a 'To Keep' folder to put these in.
I had users using their trash can or Deleted Items as archive too. When I came around, I cleaned it, no pardon. You don't tell the cleaning lady to selectively empty your trash can do you?
So, explain him and you will be at ease.

As for your other question, you can put your folders anywhere you want, but count on bottlenecks now and then, so it is not a good idea. You better keep them local and copy them as backup.
_{If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, excpect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC! - Marc}

 

[nlm9802]

upgrade to outlook 2000, then you can use the folder on the network, create an archive (boss.pst) allow the default create a shortcut to the shortcut bar, and he can just drag and drop the emails he wants to keep into the folder.
I never did like outlook express...