Recently you wrote an article on how to backup Outlook Express emails. With Windows XP I can follow all the steps up to the Identities folder. However, the Microsoft folder does not lead to Outlook Express. Likewise, the procedure doesn’t work with Outlook Express on Windows 98. On another matter, I recently purchased a new computer with DVD burner. The machine came with Sonic MyDVD 5.3 LE and Record Now 7.1 LE. However, using the LE software you cannot burn DVDs to be played on an external DVD player. For this feature, the full version has to be bought. Is there any way around this issue?

In Windows XP, the Outlook Express mail store directory is located at:
C:Documents and SettingsLocal SettingsApplication DataIdentities{1234′¦ABCD’¦}MicrosoftOutlook Express. Remember that you must have ‘Show hidden files and folders’ enabled in the Folder Options. The problem you are experiencing is possibly due to looking in the wrong user profile directory, as you must look in the directory for your user name. The other possibility is that you are looking in the wrong folder. There is another ‘Application Data’ folder located at:
C:Documents and SettingsApplication Data. This contains a similar structure, with the Identities{1234′¦ABCD’¦} sub-directories. However, this is the incorrect place, as the Application Data folder we want is under ‘Local Settings’.

Be aware the above procedure will only work for Windows XP. For Windows 98 systems, the Outlook Express directory is located in one of these locations:
‘¢ C:WindowsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook Express
‘¢ C:WindowsApplication DataIdentities{1234′¦ABCD’¦}MicrosoftOutlook Express
‘¢ C:WindowsProfilesApplication DataIdentities{1234′¦ABCD’¦}MicrosoftOutlook Express

Regarding your second question, unfortunately I don’t think there is any way around this issue apart from buying the full version of the software, as this will be the quickest and most user-friendly way of making the DVDs.