Windows 7 - Outlook 2003 Will Not Import Outlook Express folders, mail, anything

Folks I have read the MS tech notes on how to get Outlook 2003 [I have it via Office 2003 Professional, full install] to import from OE6. It fails under either option: import from "another program" or "Import Internet Mail....". Under the former it is pointed to the correct folder, but fails with Error: Cannot open,.. another program in use" but there's not... I tried copying the folder to a nice clean location on the C: and checked all the properties, nothing interfering, still won't open the folder.
Under the latter option it just doesn't do anything after directing it to the correct folder. Seems to accept the command, closes the window, but does not import anything. No error messages.

Umm.... do MS teams communicate with one another??

Closely related: If I could just get the FOLDERS I had setup it would be a great asset, or if i could just get the ADDRESS book it would help. Do you know how to import *.dbx folders into Outlook 2003? Or the old outlook Express address Book?

thx

z

They are written in two different formats that are uncompatible. The Oulook Express has a file sytem totally unique to it.

I had the same problem about 6 weeks ago going from XP to Windows 7.
I had to transfer address book to notepad and put it into Outlook one at a time. The old mail sits in the old PC.
I have heard you can transfer the OE mail files over to Windows mail or gmail etc. Then transfer files from the new mail server to Outlook.
File system is changed over with the mail transfer- I haven't tried it though.
Mike

I did a Google and found this. I didn't find this page six weeks ago.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...001094387.aspx

now why on earth would microsoft write KB's like How to upgrade from Outlook Express to Outlook 2010, to Outlook 2007, to Outlook 2003, or to Outlook 2002 AND build the feature into Outlook expressly for the task if it weren't possible??

I just found the link above after I posted the rest.
Six weeks ago I found no info.

I have no idea if it works.
Mike