e mail

[markieboy]

can anyone explain the simplest way of transferring an existing e-mail address on an old pc, to a new pc.

[Lonnie]

When I did it, I used a Flash Drive, handy little gadgets.

[Buenchico]

I'm not certain whether you just want to be able to receive e-mail on the new PC or whether you wish to transfer the contents of your inbox as well. I'll try to cover both. (All of the following assumes that you're using Windows and Outlook Express but it's fairly similar for other set-ups):

To set up the e-mail account on your new PC you need to know 4 things. These are:
1. Your username. (This is almost always whatever comes before the '@' in your e-mail address).
2. Your password.
3. The pop3 server name (see below)
4. The smtp server name (also below).

Most ISPs will have the information for 3 & 4, above, available on their website. If you've still got the old PC, however, just do this:
Open Outlook Express. Click on 'Tools' ,then 'Accounts', then 'Mail'. If there was only one e-mail account set up then this will already be highlighted. Otherwise click on the relevant account, then click 'Properties'. Click the 'Servers' tab to view the pop3 amd smtp details.

Once you've got this information, you can go to the new PC. Once again, go to 'Tools', then 'Accounts'. Then click 'Add' and 'Mail'. Simply fill in the relevant information in the various fields and your new PC is ready to receive your mail.

Here's how to transfer your inbox. (This is an 'unofficial' method but it works!):
On the old PC, search for *.dbx This will find your inbox file and also any other e-mail folders you may have set up. Copy all the dbx files to a CD.

Now go to the new PC and search, again, for *.dbx. Right-click on any of the files found and select 'open containing folder'. Insert the CD and copy all of the old dbx files into the open folder. (Select the option to over-write files when this appears). Your new inbox (and other folders) will now mimic those on the old PC.

Chris