do isp's archive email? 

after messages are downloaded from isp server do they retain a
archived copy of the message? Specifically Earthlink

It depends on the ISP.  Some ISP's delete them, and some keep them. 
Some ISP's simply have backups of all there E-mail Servers along with
the e-mails, but, I would imagine that most do not archive them for a
long period of time.  If you are trying to retrieve an e-mail, I would
doubt that EarthLink would get it out there back ups for you, and I'm
pretty sure that EarthLink will tell you that once it's been deleted
it's been deleted.  Even if they carry Archives of e-mails, it's only
for FBI, Local Police departments, and others with authority that
subpoena their records.

I hope that helps!

- Ahmed

My request is to prove my point in court. Could I subpoena Earthlink myself?

Hi,

     I am just a registered user, but I can answer your question.
Earthlink doesn't automatically save emails on their servers. What
email client do you use for email? Outlook Express? Or web-based
email? Something else? Every mail client has an option somewhere in
the preferences for saving a copy of the email ON the ISP's server. IF
that box is checked then a copy will remain on the server. If it
isn't, then it won't. It's that simple. I do not know what the default
would be, but I think it might be default to have it not checked...
this way it doesn't take up space on the server. But that's just a
guess. Let me know which email client you use and I can try to find
out where you can check to see if you have that option checked!

PS: aol does it automatically, but they are a different story!

Hello derbye,

I think its pretty safe to say that once you download an email from a
pop email server, the email is deleted unless your account is set up
to retain the messages.

As with all deleted files on computers however, there is the chance to
"undelete" a file, although the success of this will vary greatly and
I cannot see an attempt of this happening.

tisme-ga

Earthlink does not archive email. (I know this as fact.) Once it's
retrieved from the server, it's gone, unless your email client is
setup to leave mail on the server when checking it. Every email client
I know of deletes mail from the server by default, so unless you
specifically setup your client not to, that mail is gone.

hi,

All email server keep/store the email. Until user deleted it.

Outlook Express>tools>account>mail>property>advanced>leave a copy of
messages on server

If Outlook's "leave a copy message on server" is checked, then the
email is still on the server, even after email is downloaded to email
client.

All ISP postmaster keep a copy of emails send/received through out the
email domain. This mean, YES, they store a copy of email no matter
what. But, the postmaster usually keep latest emails only, up to 15Mb
by default.


Regards,
james33
Support Engineer