Err Msg: This Version of Mail Is Too Old...

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11

SYMPTOMS

After you install version 3.0 or later of the retail version of Microsoft Mail or the version of Microsoft Mail that ships with Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 over the older version of Mail shipped with Windows for Workgroups 3.1, you receive the following error message:

   This version of Mail is too old to access your message file.

CAUSE

NOTE: This information applies to both Microsoft DoubleSpace and Microsoft DriveSpace. For MS-DOS 6.22, use DRVSPACE in place of DBLSPACE for commands and filenames.

In Windows for Workgroups version 3.11, you can use two different types of compression on the Mail message file (.MMF): DoubleSpace Security or Highest Security. The difference between these is the encryption method employed. The DoubleSpace option is less heavily encrypted and allows DoubleSpace to compress the file on a DoubleSpace volume.

The aforementioned error message can occur when you are using Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 if DoubleSpace Security is enabled rather than Highest Security. Windows for Workgroups Mail 3.1 and the retail version of Microsoft Mail cannot read the Windows for Workgroups 3.11 .MMF because they cannot read the DoubleSpace encryption method.

To use Windows for Workgroups Mail version 3.1 or the retail version of Microsoft Mail, you must use the Highest Security method.

RESOLUTION

To change the encryption method, do the following:

1. Rename the current MSMAIL.EXE to MSMAIL.SAV. This file is usually found in the Windows directory although it is possible for it to be located in another directory.

2. Expand the file MSMAIL.EX_ from your original Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 disks. At an MS-DOS command prompt, change to your Windows directory, and type the following command

         expand <drive>:\msmail.ex_ <destination>:\windows\msmail.exe
   

   where <drive> is the floppy disk drive containing your original Windows for Workgroups disk and <destination> is the drive containing Windows.

   NOTE: This file is located on Disk 2 of the 1.2-MB 5.25-inch disk set and Disk 3 of the 1.44-MB 3.5-inch disk set.

3. Start MSMAIL.EXE from the Windows directory.

4. From the Mail menu, choose Options. Change DoubleSpace Security to Highest Security.

5. From the File menu, choose Exit And Sign Out.

6. Delete the MSMAIL.EXE file that you expanded in step 2--it is no longer required.

7. Rename the saved copy of the mail executable MSMAIL.SAV to MSMAIL.EXE.

8. Restart Mail.

NOTE: The physical size of the .MMF does not change as a result of changing the encryption method; however, a progress bar is displayed at the bottom of the Mail screen during the conversion process. This conversion process takes approximately 10 to 15 seconds per megabyte of .MMF size.

If Microsoft Mail cannot convert the .MMF to Highest Security but still functions when you are using Windows for Workgroups version 3.11, proceed as follows:

1. Run Microsoft Mail, and choose Export Folder from the File menu.

2. Export all folders to another file (for example, EXPORT.MMF).

3. Rename the MSMAIL.MMF file to MSMAIL.OLD.

4. Run the retail version of Microsoft Mail or Windows for Workgroups version 3.10 Mail.

5. When prompted for the location of the .MMF, select the exported file (for example, EXPORT.MMF).

   A message informing you that this is a backup message file should appear. Choose OK to convert this exported .MMF to the active .MMF for Mail.

6. Mail should then function normally.