Windows Mail

[debby]

I had an anti-virus program that was expiring and I downloaded and paid for the new one. When I restarted my computer, the anti-virus program changed settings and the computer asked me for a password.  I never put a password on this machine as my husband and I are the only users, so felt no need to have one. I could not get into my computer, tried everything (didn't make a reset disc - didn't know there was such a thing), and had to take it to my computer dude.  He tried for a week and finally reinstalled Vista.  In the process, my husband lost all his music, I lost all my email contacts, but he did save My Documents and My Pictures. There is a folder that says Outlook Express in My Documents and says it has stuff in it, but will not open.  When I try to open it, it just goes to Windows Mail (Vista) and that's no help in retrieving email addresses.  Any ideas on how to get to this?  And please be patient as I am somewhat computer stupid.  Thanks in advance!

Debby

[quaxo]

1. Find a new computer dude. There were much easier ways to fix that kind of problem which could have saved you the trouble of losing everything. 

2. What program were you previously using for email?

If he only saved My Documents and My Pictures, and you were previously using Outlook Express, unfortunately your contacts are most likely gone because it doesn't store the contacts in either of those folders. They're stored in a WAB file which is in the Application Data folder.

You can try and see if he saved them. The path would be "C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book", where Username is the name of the user of that account. Alternatively, you could try having Windows search for folders named "Address Book", but it may only come up with the one for the current installation if he didn't back it up when he formatted.

[soybean]

try having Windows search for folders named "Address Book"

Or, search on *.wab. 

[debby]

I was using Windows Mail.  There is a folder for Outlook Express (I don't know why) but when I try to open anything on it, it just goes straight to my current emails I've received since I got this back last week.  But I will try what you guys have told me. I'll let you know if I have any luck.  Thanks!

[quaxo]

Oh, in the case of Windows Mail, it saves contacts in "C:\Users\Username\Contacts", but again, if he didn't back up this particular folder, they're probably lost.

[debby]

Nope, didn't back it up there either - no C:Users\Username\Contacts.  But before that anti-virus set the password setting and I couldn't get into my computer, I had started a backup, evidently of the whole system.  It just said backup and I clicked it and started but stopped it after I went through 5 discs, I didn't have anymore on hand. I did notice that some of my husband's music was being backed up on the discs, so if I were to put a disk in, starting with the first one, would all that info just automatically go on my computer where it is supposed to go?  Maybe email addresses are what is on one of those discs.

[Spoiler]

What is the name of the antivirus software that add a password?

[debby]

Security Shield 2010 - although for 2010 I think they just called it The Shield.

[patio]

Get rid of it...
And choose another FREE alternative shch as AVG or Avast Home Edition.

[debby]

Oh, believe me, it is gone.  I'm planning to call them tomorrow about getting my money back and even trying to get them to pay the $200 to get my computer back running, which I am sure will be a joke, but I know I'll get the money back for the Security Shield.  My computer dude has a "thing" about F-Secure and when he got my computer back working, he put it on there for $25.00.  I've used it before, not a big fan, and since it hasn't been 30 days, thinking of telling them I don't want it either. Thanks for the info, I was going to look into freebies anyway, just didn't know which ones to choose. 

[quaxo]

Yeah, there are plenty of free anti-virus options out there:
AVG Free - Anti-virus only.
Avast Home - Anti-virus only.
Comodo Internet Security - Anti-virus and firewall.

When installing any of those, make sure you opt-out of installing any of the extras, like toolbars or extra software.

There are also very reliable pay services as well:
Kaspersky Internet Security which I've personally used for over a year now and would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat. I think it costs about $60 a year in the US, but it's well worth it. Anti-virus, firewall, and lots of other features. They also have lower priced options (like anti-virus only). They also offer a free upgrade to new versions for licensed users (I just upgraded from 2009 to 2010 for free).

Panda Security which is $89.95 a year, but includes anti-virus, firewall, and other security features. They also have lower priced options (like anti-virus only). I've never used it, but have heard many good things about it.

[debby]

Thanks, Quaxo - I'll definitely check them out.  You were a big help!