Recovery of Outlook Contacts folder

[spyros]

good day
A couple of weeks ago my computer was infected by a virous.

i had no ther option than to format drive c and to setup windows xp as well as some
other applications that i use.

in order to prevent any loss of data i've decided to copy all documents and
application files to an external drive thus to be able recover them after drive's
C format operation.

It was the first time i've experienced such a situation therefore
i phoned up a programer thus to enlight me as to whether i should proceed to
the format operation, the steps that i should follow in order to prevent loss
of data, etc...

The programer instructed me to archive the Personal Folder in MS outlook Application
to the external drive thus be able recover the data. His instruction been followed
and the personal folder was archived in the external drive.
I've open the archive file thus to ensure that everything was there and
noticed that the 'contacts' folder was not there !! I called up once again
the programer in order to guide me...although i had strong reasons to beleive
that the contacts folder had not been archived, the programer had a different point
of view...he was insisting that the contacts folder been archived; and gave me the
green light to proceed further...

it goes without saying that i followed the instruction give by the expert !!
drive c was formated, windows xp installed, ms office installed, etc...

1) When i've opened my outlook express application
thus to import the archive folders...The operation concluded but with
much to my regret the contacts folder was Missing...all contacts data been lost !!
Is there any chance to get the contacts folder back as it was prior the windows
setup process ???

2) another data application that i used been also installed in drive c after
the format operation; and when i've tried to import the saved data files
from the external drive i've realized that data import failed;
i've tried a couple of times..but in vain.

The data files in question are 'GDB' files.
I've tried to open the data files from the external drive but the right
program was not available...i've tried to find the right application (even through
the internet) thus either to open or to convert the 'GDB Files' in a format that windows
xp will recognize...but i failed.

I'am very disappointed' i'd rather say frustrated...Can anybody guide and
assist me to the above mentioned issues ??

thanks before hands....!!

[Ahcoraj]

I always export the contacts folder to a PST seperately, when the contact info is critical. I never use the archive function in outlook, i either export all folders to a new PST or i simply copy the whole PST from the outlook folder in the users profile off before doing anything in cases where email is vital. This has always worked well for me in the past.... have you tried running the inbox repair tool on the pst to see if it somehow got damaged in transfer?