Outlook could not locate my .pst file when I attempted to start Outlook
today. I did manage to find an older .pst file but was unable to locate my
current file. I'm guessing that from my brief trolling that my file had
either exceeded the 2 GB threshold or darn near approached it. Either way,
it's no where to be found. Is there any hope of locating it and restoring any
portion of it ? Even if it is corrupted; shouldn't I be able to see it ? How
can I attempt to retrieve/restore/repair/reduce the file with any tools if I
can't locate the original file? Thanks.

I don't know how you lost your PST file, but it's certain that the 2GB
size limit (for pre-2003 PST files) has nothing to do with it. You may
not be able to open Outlook with an oversized file, but nothing would go
and just delete it.

Use the Windows Find tool to search for *.PST files; make sure that
folder options are set to show hidden files.

If the file remains lost, then your best option is restore from backup.
If you have no backup, your next-best option is an "undelete" tool; try
http://www.recuva.com/ (free, but still in beta).

M. Andres Fernandez wrote:
> Outlook could not locate my .pst file when I attempted to start Outlook
> today. I did manage to find an older .pst file but was unable to locate my
> current file. I'm guessing that from my brief trolling that my file had
> either exceeded the 2 GB threshold or darn near approached it. Either way,
> it's no where to be found. Is there any hope of locating it and restoring any
> portion of it ? Even if it is corrupted; shouldn't I be able to see it ? How
> can I attempt to retrieve/restore/repair/reduce the file with any tools if I
> can't locate the original file? Thanks.

Thanks for your reply. I have searched the drive as requested and still am
only able to locate a previously abandoned PST file. I have run "recuva" -
the current build seems to be busted (0 files recovered) and I will have to
wait until they post a new version; hopefully soon. I have no back-up...
Shameful, I know. I am completely at a loss as to what has happened to my
file. My pc is accessed by my 11 year old and at times, some friends;
however, I am doubtful that someone has created this scenario. Any other
insights? Thanks again.

"Pat Willener" wrote:

> I don't know how you lost your PST file, but it's certain that the 2GB
> size limit (for pre-2003 PST files) has nothing to do with it. You may
> not be able to open Outlook with an oversized file, but nothing would go
> and just delete it.
>
> Use the Windows Find tool to search for *.PST files; make sure that
> folder options are set to show hidden files.
>
> If the file remains lost, then your best option is restore from backup.
> If you have no backup, your next-best option is an "undelete" tool; try
> http://www.recuva.com/ (free, but still in beta).
>
> M. Andres Fernandez wrote:
> > Outlook could not locate my .pst file when I attempted to start Outlook
> > today. I did manage to find an older .pst file but was unable to locate my
> > current file. I'm guessing that from my brief trolling that my file had
> > either exceeded the 2 GB threshold or darn near approached it. Either way,
> > it's no where to be found. Is there any hope of locating it and restoring any
> > portion of it ? Even if it is corrupted; shouldn't I be able to see it ? How
> > can I attempt to retrieve/restore/repair/reduce the file with any tools if I
> > can't locate the original file? Thanks.
>

It could be a HD error; try to run CHKDSK /F /R to find and repair any
errors. What file system do you use - FAT32 or NTFS?

M. Andres Fernandez wrote:
> Thanks for your reply. I have searched the drive as requested and still am
> only able to locate a previously abandoned PST file. I have run "recuva" -
> the current build seems to be busted (0 files recovered) and I will have to
> wait until they post a new version; hopefully soon. I have no back-up...
> Shameful, I know. I am completely at a loss as to what has happened to my
> file. My pc is accessed by my 11 year old and at times, some friends;
> however, I am doubtful that someone has created this scenario. Any other
> insights? Thanks again.
>
> "Pat Willener" wrote:
>
>> I don't know how you lost your PST file, but it's certain that the 2GB
>> size limit (for pre-2003 PST files) has nothing to do with it. You may
>> not be able to open Outlook with an oversized file, but nothing would go
>> and just delete it.
>>
>> Use the Windows Find tool to search for *.PST files; make sure that
>> folder options are set to show hidden files.
>>
>> If the file remains lost, then your best option is restore from backup.
>> If you have no backup, your next-best option is an "undelete" tool; try
>> http://www.recuva.com/ (free, but still in beta).
>>
>> M. Andres Fernandez wrote:
>>> Outlook could not locate my .pst file when I attempted to start Outlook
>>> today. I did manage to find an older .pst file but was unable to locate my
>>> current file. I'm guessing that from my brief trolling that my file had
>>> either exceeded the 2 GB threshold or darn near approached it. Either way,
>>> it's no where to be found. Is there any hope of locating it and restoring any
>>> portion of it ? Even if it is corrupted; shouldn't I be able to see it ? How
>>> can I attempt to retrieve/restore/repair/reduce the file with any tools if I
>>> can't locate the original file? Thanks.