outlook express

I was having a problem with windows 95 and it needed re-installing. In the process Outlook Express got obliterated. I downloaded it and installed it again and was able to import all of my old mail folders except SENT ITEMS

Each folder has 2 filess associated with it. THere is a .mbx file and a .idx file. The .mbx file contains the messages themselves.

I don't know what the .idx file is supposed to contain but Sent Items.idx is empty and zero length. The other idx files contain stuff of some kind.

Is there any way to rebuild this file based on the mbx file so that I can import the data. I can look at the messages in a text editor but would like to be able to get the mfrom Outlook Express again.