Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

[Sylvander]

1. My old PC->Win2000Pro has died.

2. I have all the OE dbx files available...
But not possible to run Outlook Express.

3. Running Slacko-5.3.3.1-SCSI->Thunderbird.
How to get it to import the dbx files?
Online explanations need both Thunderbird and OE within a working Windows, which I don't have.

[ETP]

[Sylvander]

1. GREAT...
Except...
These programs are for running within Windows [XP?]

2.Do you know if it's possible to use WINE [within Slacko] to do the work?

[Jasper]

Hi Sylvander,

Wine can run XP and Windows Thunderbird, just try any other program.

However, if you still have your original Windows book and it shows your unique Product Key on the front page - read on.

Many years ago when my hard drive fried I googled and was able to download W98SE and install it on a replacement hard drive using my Product Key.

My regards

[2byte]

Hi Sylvander,

I just converted a .dbx file to .eml using UnDBX on LucidPup 5.11 with wine. Worked perfectly.
The steps I used:
Created a tmp directory on my ntfs partition.
Copied my Outlook Express dbx file (2byte at Home.dbx) to the tmp folder.
Copied undbx.exe to the same tmp directory.
Brought up a terminal in the tmp directory & executed:

[ETP]

Sylvander,

[Jasper]

Hi ETP,

I think you know considerably more than me, but does your Wine configuration not allow it to run in XP mode (as per screenshot)?

My regards

Also, off-topic, I liked your earlier cursor solution for Flash.

[ETP]

[Sylvander]

1.

[ETP]

Sylvander,
You are going to need to experiment here particularly with the final imports into Thunderbird.

I would advise that before you do anything you back up your savefile and also use copies of your dbx files rather than the originals.

To recap:
UnDBX is a windows prog that does run under XP & may run under wine as described by 2byte. It converts the dbx files to eml files.

Given that it is a windows prog I would use it on an NTFS or FAT32 volume. (a flash stick would suffice)
You can give the import & export directories any names you see fit.

The importexport tool addon for Thunderbird (running on puppy) enables T'Bird to import the eml files produced by UnDBX.

My inclination would be to try importing one eml file at a time given that the dbx files came from two identities & you have created two identities in T'bird.

Provided that you have that backup you can have multiple stabs at it if need be.

Good Luck.

[Sylvander]

@ETP

1. "You are going to need to experiment here particularly with the final imports into Thunderbird"
OK, will do.

2. "I would advise that before you do anything you back up your savefile"
Done, and will repeat regularly.

3. "also use copies of your dbx files rather than the originals"
Right now I'll be working with copies restored from backups.
The originals are on a PATA HDD, and this new PC only has SATA connections/controllers.
So far I've bought 2 different "IDE-to-SATA or SATA-to-IDE" adapters, and neither has worked [cannot access the contents].
I have an external [USB connected] enclosure [and it works] for PATA HDD, but don't fancy swapping HDD's unless forced.
May try buying an adapter I've seen on Amazon [features look good].

4. "UnDBX is a windows prog that does run under XP & may run under wine as described by 2byte. It converts the dbx files to eml files"
Understood.

5. "Given that it is a windows prog I would use it on an NTFS or FAT32 volume"
OK.

6. "You can give the import & export directories any names you see fit"
Good.

7. "The importexport tool addon for Thunderbird (running on puppy) enables T'Bird to import the eml files produced by UnDBX"
Ummm...
How should I apply/install the add-on?
Is it anything like a Firefox add-on?
With those you find and install them from within Firefox.

8. "My inclination would be to try importing one eml file at a time"
OUCH!
There are a LOT of folders...
Which means there are LOTS of emails..
So that's going to be a LOT of work and time.
Think I'll try to delete whole folders, then delete as many emails as possible.
So as to reduce to a minimum, the amount of work needing done.

9. "given that the dbx files came from two identities & you have created two identities in T'bird"
It's actually 3 identities...
2 for me; 1 for my wife.

10. "Provided that you have that backup you can have multiple stabs at it if need be"
OK, BUT...
I really do NOT want to repeat what is going to be an awful lot of work!
Need to get it right 1st time.
Hence, I'll do lots of discussing, thinking and pre-planning.

11. "Good Luck"
Thanks for your good wishes, and the time and effort you've put into this.

[ETP]

Sylvander,

[Sylvander]

A. At this page...
The "Download Now" button is displaying an info window, saying...
(a) "How to install in Thunderbird"...
"1. Download and save the file to your hard disk." DONE.
"2. In Mozilla Thunderbird, open Add-ons from the Tools menu." DONE.
"3. From the options button next to the add-on search field, select "Install Add-on From File..." and locate the downloaded add-on."
I see no options button next to the add-on search field.

B. I notice the downloaded file has an xpi extension.
Is this a Windows file?
Does the running Thunderbird need to be a Windows version running in Windows or WINE, to be able to see this xpi file?
I'm confused.

[ETP]

Sylvander,
All done in puppy. The options button is the SPANNER I mentioned earlier.
xpi is the format for add-ons in T'bird regardless of OS.
See pic attached

[Sylvander]

1. Hmmm, this is being difficult!
In Thunderbird, I go to "Tools->Add-ons->Get add-ons", and search for "ImportExportTools", but it isn't listed in the found add-ons.
But it IS included in the online list when I click on "See all results [8]".
But that only downloads the xpi file I already have.
Still confused.
Why doesn't it list "ImportExportTools" in the found add-ons?