The Net Gate ~ beta

Migrate Microsoft Outlook Express 6 to Windows Mail Live

Microsoft Outlook Express (OE) is end-of-life and replaced by Windows Mail Live (WML). Moreover, Outlook Express version 6 was bundled with Internet Explorer and could not be (re-)installed as a standalone application. Hence, the need to say goodbye to this Mail Client and welcome the new version, renamed to Windows Live Mail. This freeware Mail Client can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center.

Migration of your messages, address book and mail accounts from OE to WML should work fine, if you upgrade on the same computer with the same Windows version installed. However, moving these data from one computer to another may be challenging. Here are some steps that you can follow to make the transition successful:

1 backup all your Outlook Express data

Follow the steps explained in my ‘Microsoft Outlook Express – Housekeeping’ post.

2 install Windows Live Mail on the source system

Indeed, install Windows Live Mail first on your ‘old’ system to migrate the messages. Once Windows Live Mail is installed, you can import the OE folders and export them into a WML format. The conversion of these data is worthwhile, since WML will create a single file for each message.

3 install Windows Live Mail on the target system

Install Windows Live Mail on your ‘new’ system.
Import the Outlook Express internet account files (‘.aif’ file) and address book (‘.wab’ file).
Import the WML formatted messages from your ‘old’ system. After the import process, you will find your folders and messages under ‘Storage Folders’, ‘Imported Folder’, ‘Local Folders’

Now you’re done and your new system uses the new Microsoft Mail Client, with your mail account(s) and access to your (old) messages and address book.

The Netgear WPN802v2 is a powerful Wireless Access Point based on RangeMax Technology, supporting Centrino®, 802.11b, 802.11g and SuperG (108 Mbit/s). Works well in combination with the Thomson SpeedTouch 510 and Philips ADSL modem/router PSTN Blue.

The default adress of the Access Point is http://192.168.0.231 (factory setting).

Works fine with Windows XP and Vista Home Premium.

Supports the WPA wireless clients authentication and encryption methods.

The Netgear DG834v2 (and DG834G) is a combined ADSL Modem, Router and Wireless Access Point.

The default adress of the Access Point is http://192.168.0.1 (factory setting).

Works fine with Windows XP and Vista Home Premium.

Supports the WPA wireless clients authentication and encryption methods.

The Philips ADSL modem/router Belgacom b-box is a multiservice router with a Wireless Access Point, offered by Belgacom.

The default adress of the Access Point is http://192.168.1.1 (factory setting).

This modem supports the Voice-over-IP and Digital TV services.

Works fine with Windows XP and Vista Home Premium.

Supports the WPA wireless clients authentication and encryption methods:

The USR5461 802.11g Wireless MAXg broadband router is good value for money and works fine with Windows XP and Vista. The print server is only supported for Windows PCs over the TCP/IP protocol (no Netbios nor IPX/SPX support).

The USR5461 Internet Sharing device offers:

• an Internet sharing of DSL connections (cable or ADSL) through Network Address Translation (NAT),
• a Firewall, with optional DMZ,
• a DHCP Server for automatic IP Address alocation,
• a Print Server over IP for an USB attached printer,
• a 10/100 Base-T switch and 802.11g Wireless MAXg LAN connections.
• Configuration management through a web interface. The default address of the USR5461 Router is http://192.168.1.1 (factory setting)

The US Robotics 8000-3 Broadband router is good value for money and works fine with PC and MAC. The print server is only supported for Windows PCs over the TCP/IP protocol (no Netbios nor IPX/SPX support).

The USR 8000-3 Internet Sharing device offers:

• an Internet sharing of DSL connections (cable or ADSL) through Network Address Translation (NAT) with a dial-up backup,
• a Firewall, with optional DMZ,
• a DHCP Server for automatic IP Address alocation,
• a Print Server over IP for a parallel attached printer,
• a 10/100 Base-T switch for up to four LAN connections.
• Configuration management through a web interface. The default address of the USR 8000 Router is http://192.168.123.254 (factory setting)

Important note: Windows users need to install the proprietary USR print driver.

SpeedTouch 510/510v4 – firmware LLT6AA4.230

• the same rules apply for the ST510, you first need the EXPERT password
• the basic ST510 comes with a graphical interface and a configuration (setup) programme
• the more advanced Firmware offers easy access to pre-defined configurations with DHCP, NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) and DNS features (e.g. Routed PPPoE – DHCP – NAPT).
• Phone Book settings may differ by country and/or ISP:
• SkyNet (Belgium): VPI 8 / VCI 35 – Wanadoo (France): VPI 8 / VCI 35
• see how the Firmware: LLT6AA4.230 GUI looks like

SpeedTouch 510v3 – firmware GV8BAA3.741

• once you get hold of the EXPERT password, you can switch on the ‘PRO’ mode; this is done by updating the Remote Inventory PROM
• the ‘PRO’ mode allows access to the Routing and the DHCP settings
• the Firmware versions offer, besides bug fixes, additional features and different user interfaces (which are accessed with your browser at http://10.0.0.138)
• some Firmware versions are ISP or country specific, in particular PPPoE or PPPoA support
• configuration files (user.ini) can be uploaded from or stored on your local disk for backup
• see how the Firmware: GV8BAA3.741 GUI looks like

read more about the upgrade instructions here

• once you get hold of the EXPERT password, you can switch on the ‘PRO’ mode; this is done by updating the Remote Inventory PROM
• the ‘PRO’ mode allows access to the Routing and the DHCP settings
• the Firmware versions offer, besides bug fixes, additional features and different user interfaces (which are accessed with your browser at http://10.0.0.138)
• some Firmware versions are ISP or country specific, in particular PPPoE or PPPoA support
• configuration files (user.ini) can be uploaded from or stored on your local disk for backup

read more about the upgrade instructions here

SpeedTouch Home – firmware GV8BAA3.253

• once you get hold of the EXPERT password, you can switch on the ‘PRO’ mode; this is done by updating the Remote Inventory PROM
• the Firmware versions offer, besides bug fixes, additional features and different user interfaces (which are accessed with your browser at http://10.0.0.138)
• some Firmware versions are ISP or country specific, in particular PPPoE or PPPoA support
• configuration files (user.ini) can be uploaded from or stored on your local disk for backup

read more about the upgrade instructions here