How to move mail from OE on Mac OS 9 to Outlook on Windows

Moving mail between computers can be kind of tricky. Especially if you're crossing platforms. Options include:

* Abandoning the mail on the old computer - even though this is an option it is undesirable.

* Copying the mail via IMAP (which changes the received date). Account size limits may require copying the mail in batches. Also losing the received date is a problem.

* Exporting from one program and importing to another. most mail programs only allow for importing, not exporting. Few mail programs allow easy migration of mail across platforms. But because this option preserves account settings, sig files, all email and contacts, it is sometimes the best option.

* Using special software to migrate the mail. I have never done this but I hear it works well.

Instructions for how to move mail from Outlook Express 5 on Mac OS 9 to Outlook 2003 on Windows XP follow.

 1. Download and install Eudora on the Mac. This email client uses the same format for storage of mail on both the Mac and on Windows, meaning that a mail store can be moved across platforms without difficulty. It also can import mail from Outlook Express, which Netscape 7 cannot do.

2. Import mail into Eudora from Outlook Express. This is pretty straightforward.

3. Download and install Eudora on the PC.

4. Move the Eudora mail and settings from the Mac to the PC. Illegal characters in the filenames of files in the Attachments folder can be a pain. On the Mac, these files are usually located in the Eudora folder.

On the PC, move the files to C:\Program Files\Quallcomm\Eudora. If you move them to another location Outlook will be unable to import them.

Files to move include:
*.mbx - mailbox files

*.toc - table of contents files

nndbase.txt - nickname file

.fol folders - Eudora folders containing mailboxes

Nickname folder (if it is not empty)

descmap.pce - keeps track of your mailbox and folder list (note: contents of this file must match the mailboxes you are importing into Outlook).

5. Open Eudora on the PC and confirm that all the items you wish to import are present. If you don't see the mailboxes you want, make sure the .mbx and .toc files for the mailboxes are not in the Eudora folder, back them up somewhere. Then within Eudora, create new mailboxes with the same names. Replace the new .mbx and .toc files with the files you backed up. Now you will be able to open the mailboxes in Eudora.

6. Import mail from Eudora into Outlook. This is pretty straightforward, too.

7. Confirm that everything you wanted to import is present, and you're done.

This entire process is time consuming, but it does work.