Microsoft User Data now too large for a Zip disk on 3400

Question

Microsoft User Data now too large for a Zip disk on 3400

My sister is changing over from her trusty old PB 3400 to a "newer" G3 iceberg iBook running OS X. We have arranged to migrate most of her data across using 100 MB Zip disks, but unfortunately the main Identity for her emails (in Microsoft User Data) is now too large - 1.9 MB infuriatingly - to fit onto a blank Zip.

She has tried removing picture attachments to the desktop and then deleting the original message, and then emptying Outlook Express trash, but to no avail. Can anyone suggest a way she can get her emails copied over? (She cannot use USB on the 3400 and setting up a network between the two machines using Ethernet is way beyond her technical capabilities).

Any ingenious solutions would be welcomed.

iMac G5 17" 1.5Gb RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jan 9, 2009 2:08 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,307 points

Jan 9, 2009 6:16 AM in response to christopher rigby1

Sorry, cannot help you with Outlook Express and other Microsoft-specific issues.

Regarding larger files, have you checked whether compression (e.g., via StuffIt) would help reduce the size?

Alternatively, CompactFlash (and other types of flash memory) cards can be used for transfers. This would require a PC Card adapter for CF (or for another kind of card) in the PowerBook 3400 ( examples) and a USB card reader attached to the iBook. It is possible to reformat (normally PC-formatted) cards to Mac.

Jan

Reply

Answer 2

Jan 9, 2009 6:54 AM in response to christopher rigby1

You said 1.9 MB. Do you mean 1.9GB, or what is the overall size or largest folder/file size?

Just deleting emails in OE does not immediately reduce the overall file size. You need to compact the database. To do this, depress the Option key when OE is opened & follow the on-screen instructions. Hopefully, the size will be sufficiently reduced.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Reply

Answer 3

Jan 9, 2009 8:47 AM in response to Texas Mac Man

Wow, such a simple solution! You know, I searched right through the Outlook Express Help and didn't find any such trick listed - why on earth they don't include such a useful thing in the Help system (which is after all much more comprehensive in other respects than Apple's feeble Help system) is beyond me.

We will try that out - thank you.

(If it doesn't work we will try the other suggestion, compressing in Stuffit).

(PS - I meant that the Messages file was too big for a Zip disk to the tune of 1.9MB).

Reply

Answer 4

Jan 9, 2009 10:02 AM in response to christopher rigby1

Here's several Outlook Express helpful links.

*Mac Outlook Express FAQ*
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/tg.online/macfaq/

*Outlook Express 5.0 for Mac Maintenance*
http://www.macoptions.com/oe/maint.htm

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Reply