Hi,

Recently re-installed Windows XP (Home Ed), which was a newer version of what was originally on SYSTEM. Wjen asked if I wanted to format drives, I selectd no - keep current file system in tact.

Now that it is up and running, nothing is actively installed! I installed a newer version of Office, but can't get hold of my old mail. All my old files appear to be there in Program Files on the old drive, just can't find the mail. I've done a search for *.pst files, but nothing comes up.

I'm sure the data is there, how do I find it?

Many thanks.... :-/Why are you sure the data is there? Even though you didn't reformat the drive, blank new files could have overwritten the old files. There are other dangers in just doing a dirty over the top install  beyond keeping previous problems. Does your search turn up ANY files with the extension you listed?It turns up one .pst file, but that is related (I think) to the new version of Office.

If the FBI can turn up files from a HDD that have INTENTIONALLY been deleted, surely my old mail files that I did not (intentiaonally anyway) delete should be there in some format.

Other programs from the old Program File directory are able to be re-installed no problems......In the old documents and settings folder, in username_folder->application data (this one is hidden, you have to activate the option "Show hidden files and directories" and maybe "Show system files" in Tools->Folder Options->View ) ->Microsoft->Outlook. There is your pst.Half WAY there - got to show hidden files, found Applicationa Data -> Microsoft, but no Outlook folder..............Sorry, found some files which look like the ones, but can't copy and paste - "Access denied". Any Ideas??I have windows xp in my computer. I want to format drive c and then reinstall windows xp, need information for the steps from A to Z.

Thanks & regards
stop outlook, stop messenger
(this should fix the PROBLEM with access denied)
Yes, I fogot to mention the right path to pst files...
c:\documents and settings\user\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook
My apologies for incovenience