I'm using a WinXP-pro PC with Outlook 2003 with BCM. The PC drive needs to
be re-formatted, so then I have to re-install 1) Outlook, and 2) BCM.

Before I take it down, what do I need to back up so I have the file(s)
needed to get ALL data exactly like it was before. Is there someone who's
been in this situation and done it, and can definitively that the two things
to do for an easy/fast full recovery are:

1) OUTLOOK DATA. Copy the Outlook.pst file (Then after re-install of
Outlook, copy it over the initial/empty Outlook.pst file)?

2) BCM DATA. Use File > Bus Database > Backup to create a mystuff.msbcm
file. (Then after the re-install of BCM, do File > Bus Database > Restore)?

Will this do it to get back to exactly as before? Is there anything else?
Does it matter the order of restoration. Would there be any folders I need
to also copy that contain files I've "attached" to a contact? (That's the
way ACT! does it, stuff's all over the place, seems like). I just don't
want to end up discovering that some giant elements of data are missing
because I did something wrong.)

Thanks, any insights *greatly* appreciated

Hi George

You are correct with much of what you wrote. Take a look at my replies
inline

Hope this helps!

--
Regards,

Larry, [MSFT]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


"George" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm using a WinXP-pro PC with Outlook 2003 with BCM. The PC drive needs
> to
> be re-formatted, so then I have to re-install 1) Outlook, and 2) BCM.
>
> Before I take it down, what do I need to back up so I have the file(s)
> needed to get ALL data exactly like it was before. Is there someone who's
> been in this situation and done it, and can definitively that the two
> things
> to do for an easy/fast full recovery are:
>
> 1) OUTLOOK DATA. Copy the Outlook.pst file (Then after re-install of
> Outlook, copy it over the initial/empty Outlook.pst file)?

You cannot copy a PST over another PST. You can either open the backed up
PST File in Outlook using File > Open > Outlook Data File and then copy the
data from the backed up PST file into the new one. Or you you can also
change your Outlook Profile to point to the Backed Up PST File

Take a look at the following articles for more information
287456 OL2002: How to Work with Personal Folders Files
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;287456

287070 How to manage .pst files in Outlook 2002 and in Outlook 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;287070



> 2) BCM DATA. Use File > Bus Database > Backup to create a mystuff.msbcm
> file. (Then after the re-install of BCM, do File > Bus Database >
> Restore)?
>
Yes - these are the correct steps to backup and restore a BCM Database.
One thing to remember is that restoring a BCM database will overwrite any
data that is in the new Database.

While in most cases, they will not be needed, I would also, in case there is
a problem with the backup, backup the appropriate MSDE Database files from
the following location.
C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Business Contact Manager


> Will this do it to get back to exactly as before? Is there anything else?
> Does it matter the order of restoration. Would there be any folders I
> need
> to also copy that contain files I've "attached" to a contact? (That's the
> way ACT! does it, stuff's all over the place, seems like). I just don't
> want to end up discovering that some giant elements of data are missing
> because I did something wrong.)
>
> Thanks, any insights *greatly* appreciated
>
>

Hey George,

With respect to the part of your question regarding backing up any other
folders containing any files that you have attached (linked) to a Contact.
You want to be sure to backup any of the Windows folders where these linked
files are located. Differently from ACT, BCM does NOT store your attached
documents within the db. The db only contains the links, not the actual
attached files themselves. Those files are stored wherever they happen to
reside (My Documents?) when you first linked them to any records in BCM. The
links will still work after your restore if the pathway location of the
linked files is the same after your restore. There are 3 main things to pay
attention to: 1) Your Outlook pst, 2) Your BCM db 3) The folder (s) of your
attached files. To completely do what you are wanting to do, I just didn't
want to see you forget to include planning for #3.

-THP

Larry wrote:
>Hi George
>
>You are correct with much of what you wrote. Take a look at my replies
>inline
>
>Hope this helps!
>
>> I'm using a WinXP-pro PC with Outlook 2003 with BCM. The PC drive needs
>> to
>[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>> 1) OUTLOOK DATA. Copy the Outlook.pst file (Then after re-install of
>> Outlook, copy it over the initial/empty Outlook.pst file)?
>
>You cannot copy a PST over another PST. You can either open the backed up
>PST File in Outlook using File > Open > Outlook Data File and then copy the
>data from the backed up PST file into the new one. Or you you can also
>change your Outlook Profile to point to the Backed Up PST File
>
>Take a look at the following articles for more information
>287456 OL2002: How to Work with Personal Folders Files
>http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;287456
>
>287070 How to manage .pst files in Outlook 2002 and in Outlook 2003
>http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;287070
>
>> 2) BCM DATA. Use File > Bus Database > Backup to create a mystuff.msbcm
>> file. (Then after the re-install of BCM, do File > Bus Database >
>> Restore)?
>
>Yes - these are the correct steps to backup and restore a BCM Database.
>One thing to remember is that restoring a BCM database will overwrite any
>data that is in the new Database.
>
>While in most cases, they will not be needed, I would also, in case there is
>a problem with the backup, backup the appropriate MSDE Database files from
>the following location.
>C:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Local Settings\Application
>Data\Microsoft\Business Contact Manager
>
>> Will this do it to get back to exactly as before? Is there anything else?
>> Does it matter the order of restoration. Would there be any folders I
>[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>>
>> Thanks, any insights *greatly* appreciated

--
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