outlook doesn't save sent mails anymore
 

For a couple of days Outlook hasn't saved my sent email anymore.
Usually they are stored in the folder 'sent-mail' (I don't have an english version, but I'm sure you understand what folder I mean :) ) but now they just don't show up anymore, (the old ones are still there though) which is kinda irritating since I often need to check a previous mail.

In an other forum I was told, that all the sent mails were stored in a .dbx file, and that deleting this file would cause Outlook to create a new file and thus resolving the problem. But I can't find that file, neither with the win xp search, nor manually.
Does anybody know where this file is located`?

Or any other idea?

I use outlook 2002 and WinXP

By deleting that file you'll lose your saved sent emails. Well, you could make a copy of that file and move it somewhere else, but that seems pointless to me. I don't save any sent emails, but I didn't know there was a limit as to how many you could keep.
Anyway, to find the store folder go to.
Tools--->Options-->Maintenance-->Store Folder
That will give you the location of what you're looking for.

Before you do that. Are you sure you still have save a copy of sent emails checked?
Tools-->Options-->Send

Thanks sixate.

Now, I own a German version of Outlook, and was hoping the structure of the settings etc would be more or less the same as in the English version... turns out they're not.
And I couldn't find anything remotely similar to 'maintenance'..
I'll keep looking though.

Does anybody out there have a German version?

To find the location of where the dbx files are stored, open OE.

Right click on any folder, inbox, outbox, deleted and choose properties.

It will then give you a screen such as this:
http://www.disp0sable.org/images/oe-folders.jpg

Note the lil hex string thing wont be the same, nor will the user name such as it say steve on mine.

But that general folder is where it stores ALL messages.


Note: If your running Windows 2k or earlier, it will be stored here:

%WINDOWS%\Application Data\Identities\{6E4325EF-FC46-46E7-A848-83A832F88DEF}\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Againt he lil string wont always be the same.




As for keeping older ones, i suggest making a new folder. Moving all contents of the current sent items into it. OE has a feature that compresses messages automatically so size shouldnt matter.

And make sure in the Tool - Options - Sent tab that the very first check box is checked. "Save sent messages"

Who knows how it could have got unchecked if it is.

Thanks Destrox.

I suppose by OE you mean Outlook Express? I'm using Outlook 2002 and winXP, sorry should have mentioned that earlier.

And in Outlook 2002 'properties' says only that the location of the file was in my 'personal files' there is no more specific description.

So I tried C:\Documents and Settings\xxx\Application Data\Identities\{B977F309-AF14-42DF-93EC-375DB0A87E6E}
But this folder is empty.
(I made sure win displays all files)

Maybe it's just OE that saves the data in a .dbx file, and that Outlook 2002 uses a different file?

It's checked alright.

Outlook is crap. Used it for a few days then went back to Express 6

outlook uses pst files to store emails, are they staying in the outbox ? and not moving even though they are sent ?

All messages are stored in the PST located in Documents and Settings/<user>/Application Data/Microsoft/... If you're using Offline Sync, Outlook may also create an OST file - I've never heard of a DBX file. Maybe that's Outlook Express.

Did you look here: Tools | Options | Preferences > Email Options... > check Save copies of messages in Sent Items folder?

@ charliex: no, they don't stay in the outbox, I can send mails, but the sent mails just don't show up in the sent box.

@ rubicon: I checked Documents and Settings//Application Data/Microsoft/... found no .pst file. The "Save copies of messages in Sent Items folder"-option is checked.

well, I guess I'm gonna have to try to reinstall it and just pray :)

Edit:

I just archived all my mails since I wanted to make a backup before reinstalling outlook.
and all of a sudden it works again. I have no idea why, but all the mails I send are stored correctly in the sent-box.

Thanks to all of you for your help!

In outlook, click Tools, then Options. On the preferences tab, click the button that says E-mail options. Make sure you have a check in the box that says, "Save copies of messages in sent items folder"