[LucyB]

I have a load of old email messages stored on an external hard drive and need to have a look at them. I can't open them on my computer because they are apparently an xnk(?) file. Anyone able to help out here?

Lu.

[robertostallioni]

This help?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931218/en-us

[tomtom]

Looks like xnk files are a shortcut to a file rather than the actual file themselves.. From memory most outlook email files are stored as .pst or .ost
Tt

[LucyB]

Tomtom, you're absolutely right. I have found them, they are stored as .pst and some as .ost but i still can't open them!

Roberto, how did you resist doing that 'let me google that for you' thing? I'll try that link to see if it gives me answers to the .ost files as well.

I have to admit I'm just a bit gripped about downloading something and messing the files up irretrievably; I'm being royally fcuked over at work and need these old emails to prove stuff happened 

[Paul B]

make a duplicate of the files first if you're at all worried.

[LucyB]

You're a genius, thank you 

I've had too many 4am starts with a baby who thinks just cos it's light it's morning.....

[nai]

You'll need a copy of Outlook to open a .pst file.  Not sure if it'll have to be the same version as the files were created in but it'd probably help.
The .ost file is the offline copy used for laptops when not connected to a network, might be more accessible than the .pst
Both files may need to be local rather than on a network drive.

More info here: http://www.pstfile.org/

[tomtom]

Are you trying to open them in Outlook?
My usual way is to use the import and export option on the file menu..
This brings up an import wizard.. Select import from another program or file, press next
On the next window near the bottom is the .pst option.. Select that and then browse to select the old .pst file you have. That should work.

If you dont have outlook there may be some other programs out there that can read it.
Pm me if it's easier/etc.. Or here's fine..

[robertostallioni]

C'mon people, lets make this happen.

[LucyB]

Tried the import wizard - it comes up with 'Messages cannot be imported from the MAPI client. An error has occurred.'

[LucyB]

Roberto, I shall moderate you sternly for taking the piss.

[tomtom]

How large are the files?

[LucyB]

33,745KB

[tomtom]

thats big enough! I was wondering if it was just a file of headers or something...
Theres quite a few 'utilities' for fixing .pst files if they are broken, but this one looks like its worth a try to just open them up and read them.. never tried it so.. but looks like its worth a try. Like Paul said, make a copy first and try this out on the copy...

http://pstviewer.com/

[tomtom]

Looks like .pst is a shitty Microsoft binary format.. which makes it hard for other mail programs/programs to read.. I'll keep on googling..

edit: 2nd paragraph of this page looks relevant...

"“Messages cannot be imported from MAPI client”, generally this error message appears when you have not properly installed Outlook or some file is missing in installation. This is the major reason behind the occurrence of above mentioned error but sometimes it also appears due to following reasons:......."

http://www.fixpstfile.org/fixpstfile/messages-cannotbe-imported.php
This website claims to have some free trial utility that fixes it etc..
again, I'd only try it with a copy of the .pst

[LucyB]

Thanks, the pstviewer seems to work 

I have found my old 'sent' items, my old inbox seems to be missing but at least I have proof of stuff I sent.

Off to bed, see previous post re: 4am starts 

[tomtom]

Nice one have a good (few) hours of kip!

[Jim]

I've used a program thats called outlook recovery toolbox before thats worked very well