Hi, I'm new here and hope I can help you out. This is how I retrieved my mail from OE from and old windows program to Windows XP Hopefully it will work for you. Back Up Outlook Express Messages Microsoft stores Outlook Express messages in a subfolder buried deep beneath the Windows folder, where it's nearly impossible to back up. That can mean disaster if you have a disk crash, or if you replace your PC. When you restore your backed-up data files, you discover that your email is gone! Fortunately, Outlook Express 5.5 (included as a component of IE 5.01 with Service Pack 1 and in IE 5.5) allows you to change the default location where messages are stored, making it easier to back them up with your other files. Follow these steps: Open your My Documents folder, right-click on any empty space, and choose New, Folder from the shortcut menu. Because you'll use this new folder to hold your mail messages, give it a descriptive name like My Mail. From the main Outlook Express window, pull down the Tools menu, choose Options, and click the Maintenance tab. Click the Store Folder button. This opens a dialog box that allows you to select the folder where you want Outlook Express messages to be stored. Click the Change button. In the Browse for Folder dialog box, select the folder you created in Step 1 and click OK. Note that the path to your My Mail folder now appears in the Store Location dialog box. Click OK to save this change, and click OK to the warning message that appears next. Close the Options dialog box, and then close and restart Outlook Express. All your message files are now in a convenient location in the My Documents folder. Back up the entire contents of your My Documents folder today and you'll be well protected from data disasters! Now that you have them saved in a new file...... Save on a disc just like you did your other files. In your new computer, Go to OE mail and open... Go to File..Import.. messages Select Program - Example (Microsoft outlook express 6) Specify location - Import from an OE6 store directory Location of messages - Browse to fine your file. Select Folders you want to import - Click Next and it will add them to your new Outlook Express. You can do just the ones you want or pick them all at once. Good Luck to you.

Actually it is a computer that has everything erased including the OS. What is? The old one or the one you wish to use? If this wiped computer is the one you wish to reinstall on then is it a known brand computer or a local build? If it is a known brand like HP, Compaq or some other brand it should have a sticker on the side of the tower with the 25 digit activation code. If it has that then you can use this other XP CD you have to install your operating system. HOWEVER be sure to enter the 25 digit code from the side of the tower and not use the one with the CD. That way the CD is still available for use elsewhere should you need to do so at any time. As this computer has been wiped you will need to scour the internet to find drivers for the neywork, sound and all other periphrals. Does this computer have a make and model number?

MS Office '97-'03 should install just fine on Vista. My Office 2000 version did. So, maybe if you have an old version of office, you could install that, then use the XP upgrade Office disk. If PhotoShop 6 will install and is compatible with Vista, then you could install it and use the PhotoShop CS upgrade disk. I guess you'll just have to try and see what happens. Vista will let you know if anything is not compatible during the install.

Ok...I just copied what it said I needed from the instructions. The installation from my old Dell was all on one disk. I'd be afraid I'd mess up the installation if it ended up on multiple CDs. Maybe I should say that there would be more chance for error on my part. The instructions also said that the USB key should have a minimum capacity of 8 GB. Well, when I go to Control Panel, I see there are 45 programs now with total space of 1.12 GB. So what gives with them saying I need a minimum of 8GB? I'm guessing that it would all go on one of the disks at the link below. About them...it says, "This recordable DVD features AccuCORE technology which is 100x more scratch resistant than standard discs. Fights static, repels stains and fingerprints" Here is a link that might be useful: 25 DVD+RW Re-Recordable DVD 4.7GB