Hi there
i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
storing them on a separate hdd .
Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big and
more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
Outlook is definetly hanging .
I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my business
and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by importing
my latest pst files
I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
Regards
Steve

"stevenjf" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0C67EFC6-4B42-4462-8F3D-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi there
> i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
> storing them on a separate hdd .
> Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big
> and
> more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
> Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
> Outlook is definetly hanging .
> I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my
> business
> and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
> Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
> purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by
> importing
> my latest pst files
> I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
> Regards
> Steve


I think there are several points here. How are you "backing up TO pst
files"? If you are not using Exchange server then your Outlook data already
IS in a pst file. Are you using the export function? You shouldn't. All you
should do to make a backup is to copy the pst file, when Outlook is closed.
Secondly, you don't use the import function either - in Outlook just do
File-Open-Outlook Data File.
Thirdly, Outlook 2003 uses the same Unicode format pst file as Outlook
2007 - there may not be any performance enhancements by moving to 2007. Why
not download and install the trial version of Office 2007 and see?

--
Asking a question?
Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
your OS, Service Pack level
and the FULL contents of any error message(s)

Or you use the free backup addin available on MS outlook site
8 years? I think that predates OL2003 so do you have multiple back up pst
files?

"stevenjf" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0C67EFC6-4B42-4462-8F3D-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi there
> i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
> storing them on a separate hdd .
> Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big
> and
> more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
> Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
> Outlook is definetly hanging .
> I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my
> business
> and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
> Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
> purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by
> importing
> my latest pst files
> I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
> Regards
> Steve

There are several ways to backup your PST files
· copy the PST file to a backup location (while Outlook is closed);
· ZIP the PST file to backup location (while Outlook is closed);
· use the Windows backup tool (still while Outlook is closed);
· use a 3rd party backup tool (yes, while Outlook is closed);
· use the Outlook backup addin (I think Outlook is running for this).

There is one way that is *not* a valid way to backup PST files
· use of the Outook 'Export' function; it will corrupt your data.

stevenjf wrote:
> Hi there
> i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
> storing them on a separate hdd .
> Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to bigand
> more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
> Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
> Outlook is definetly hanging .
> I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my business
> and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
> Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
> purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by importing
> my latest pst files
> I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
> Regards
> Steve

Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i am !

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
for safe backup .

Have i done this all wrong , i am really worried now ? It was how i was
advised to backup by an IT chum .

When i check File-Open-Outlook Data File i have a number of pst's there
including archive , archive backup , backup15 and Outlook . Upon checking the
size of this outlook pst its only 6.38 GB rather than my last copy which is
nearer to 10 GB . My copied psts number 23 now .

Some more help please !!

Thanks

Steve



When i select
"Gordon" wrote:

> "stevenjf" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:0C67EFC6-4B42-4462-8F3D-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi there
> > i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
> > storing them on a separate hdd .
> > Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big
> > and
> > more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
> > Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
> > Outlook is definetly hanging .
> > I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my
> > business
> > and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
> > Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
> > purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by
> > importing
> > my latest pst files
> > I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
> > Regards
> > Steve
>
>
> I think there are several points here. How are you "backing up TO pst
> files"? If you are not using Exchange server then your Outlook data already
> IS in a pst file. Are you using the export function? You shouldn't. All you
> should do to make a backup is to copy the pst file, when Outlook is closed.
> Secondly, you don't use the import function either - in Outlook just do
> File-Open-Outlook Data File.
> Thirdly, Outlook 2003 uses the same Unicode format pst file as Outlook
> 2007 - there may not be any performance enhancements by moving to 2007. Why
> not download and install the trial version of Office 2007 and see?
>
> --
> Asking a question?
> Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
> your OS, Service Pack level
> and the FULL contents of any error message(s)
>
>

Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i am !

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
for safe backup .

Have i done this all wrong , i am really worried now ? It was how i was
advised to backup by an IT chum .

When i check File-Open-Outlook Data File i have a number of pst's there
including archive , archive backup , backup15 and Outlook . Upon checking the
size of this outlook pst its only 6.38 GB rather than my last copy which is
nearer to 10 GB . My copied psts number 23 now .

Some more help please !!

Thanks

Steve

"DL" wrote:

> Or you use the free backup addin available on MS outlook site
> 8 years? I think that predates OL2003 so do you have multiple back up pst
> files?
>
> "stevenjf" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:0C67EFC6-4B42-4462-8F3D-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi there
> > i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
> > storing them on a separate hdd .
> > Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big
> > and
> > more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
> > Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
> > Outlook is definetly hanging .
> > I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my
> > business
> > and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
> > Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
> > purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by
> > importing
> > my latest pst files
> > I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
> > Regards
> > Steve
>
>
>

Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i am !

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
for safe backup .

Have i done this all wrong , i am really worried now ? It was how i was
advised to backup by an IT chum .

When i check File-Open-Outlook Data File i have a number of pst's there
including archive , archive backup , backup15 and Outlook . Upon checking the
size of this outlook pst its only 6.38 GB rather than my last copy which is
nearer to 10 GB . My copied psts number 23 now .

Some more help please !!

Thanks

Steve

"Pat Willener" wrote:

> There are several ways to backup your PST files
> · copy the PST file to a backup location (while Outlook is closed);
> · ZIP the PST file to backup location (while Outlook is closed);
> · use the Windows backup tool (still while Outlook is closed);
> · use a 3rd party backup tool (yes, while Outlook is closed);
> · use the Outlook backup addin (I think Outlook is running for this).
>
> There is one way that is *not* a valid way to backup PST files
> · use of the Outook 'Export' function; it will corrupt your data.
>
> stevenjf wrote:
> > Hi there
> > i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
> > storing them on a separate hdd .
> > Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big and
> > more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
> > Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
> > Outlook is definetly hanging .
> > I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my business
> > and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
> > Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
> > purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by importing
> > my latest pst files
> > I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
> > Regards
> > Steve
>
>

"stevenjf" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news167AAF6-D55D-41BD-9E90-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i
> am !
>
> When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
> sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked
> and
> select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this
> has
> finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable
> HDD
> for safe backup .


If you are connecting to Exchange Server for your email, then yes, that is
the right way to do it. If you have a POP email account then that is the
WRONG way to do it!

--
Asking a question?
Please tell us the version of the application you are asking about,
your OS, Service Pack level
and the FULL contents of any error message(s)

Export has never been the way to backup outlook data files, it loses data
and other settings.
The process has been detailed here many many times.
With Outlook closed you simpy copy the pst files to some other location, or
you use the free Outlook backup addin available from MS Outlook site.

When you open Outlook how many sets of Personal Folders do you have
attached, and apart from the default msg store what are all the others?

"stevenjf" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4F858557-4A46-427B-96C8-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i
> am !
>
> When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
> sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked
> and
> select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this
> has
> finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable
> HDD
> for safe backup .
>
> Have i done this all wrong , i am really worried now ? It was how i was
> advised to backup by an IT chum .
>
> When i check File-Open-Outlook Data File i have a number of pst's there
> including archive , archive backup , backup15 and Outlook . Upon checking
> the
> size of this outlook pst its only 6.38 GB rather than my last copy which
> is
> nearer to 10 GB . My copied psts number 23 now .
>
> Some more help please !!
>
> Thanks
>
> Steve
>
> "Pat Willener" wrote:
>
>> There are several ways to backup your PST files
>> · copy the PST file to a backup location (while Outlook is closed);
>> · ZIP the PST file to backup location (while Outlook is closed);
>> · use the Windows backup tool (still while Outlook is closed);
>> · use a 3rd party backup tool (yes, while Outlook is closed);
>> · use the Outlook backup addin (I think Outlook is running for this).
>>
>> There is one way that is *not* a valid way to backup PST files
>> · use of the Outook 'Export' function; it will corrupt your data.
>>
>> stevenjf wrote:
>> > Hi there
>> > i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
>> > storing them on a separate hdd .
>> > Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big
>> > and
>> > more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
>> > Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
>> > Outlook is definetly hanging .
>> > I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my
>> > business
>> > and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
>> > Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
>> > purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by
>> > importing
>> > my latest pst files
>> > I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
>> > Regards
>> > Steve
>>
>>

"stevenjf" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news167AAF6-D55D-41BD-9E90-(E-Mail Removed)...

> When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
> sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
> select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this
> has
> finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
> for safe backup .

I'd create a new PST with File>New>Outlook Data File, then copy each folder
individually to that new PST. No exporting for me. Also, did you close
Outlook before copying the PST you created to the portable drive?
--
Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]