Outlook Express deleted my messages

[rsmyth]

I have Windows XP and I use Outlook Express. I had 4000 + messages in there. Yesterday while downloading messages for some reason it deleted all of my messages from mid December until yesterday. I now have about 3700 messages. Is there any way to recover those messages and how can I avoid this happening in the future?

[rsmyth]

I kept my PC on and came back a few hours later and all the messages were back in place. I didnt touch anything so I have no idea what caused it.

[Welshjim]

rsmyth--4000+ messages is too many to keep safely in OE, especially as separate messages in one folder. You will probably continue to have the problem and one day can no longer recover messages.
I suggest you weed out some of the messages you really no longer need. As for the others, create different folders to put them in (like Inbox--2005, etc.). That will allow OE to accomodate more messages.
You also could run File|Folder|Compact all Folders, but disconnect from the internet before you do that.
This may be helpful reading
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/IE/community/columns/filecorruption.mspx

[rsmyth]

Thank you for that great link. I moved everything to new folders and I am working through unneeded messages. I also compacted my folders.
Thank you for your help Jim.

[Welshjim]

rsmyth--You are most welcome. Hope that overcomes the problems.