Need MPV help: Outlook 2003 won't import my backup.pst

[Kent Pribbernow]

I have major problem on my hands. I decided to reformat my HD and setup XP
Pro from the ground up. Naturally, I backed up my all my Outlook data using
the File>Export command, and burned the .pst file onto a CD. I reinstalled
Office 2003, open Outlook, and attempt to import my backup.pst file....and
bam! I get an error message saying the file is not a Personal Files Folder
file? I've tried everything I can think of, even attempted opening the file
directly in Outlook. But still I get the same message, and the file will
not open.

What can I do? Or am I just up a river without a paddle? :-(

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I have major problem on my hands. I decided to reformat my HD and
setup XP Pro from the ground up. Naturally, I backed up my all my
Outlook data using the File>Export command, and burned the .pst file
onto a CD. I reinstalled Office 2003, open Outlook, and attempt to
import my backup.pst file....and bam! I get an error message saying
the file is not a Personal Files Folder file? I've tried everything I
can think of, even attempted opening the file directly in Outlook.
But still I get the same message, and the file will not open.

What can I do? Or am I just up a river without a paddle? :-(

Naw, probably not. Copy the PST file to your hard drive and remove the
read-only attribute from it - Outlook needs read/write access to the file.

Note that export/import isn't the best way as you can lose some info -
would've been best to just copy your existing PST file to the CD using your
CD burning software - however, even now, you can open up the existing PST
file in Outlook once you've made it accessible on your HD and make it the
default PST/delivery location for your OL profile. No import required,
unless you have stuff in your 'new' PST file you need....

 

[Brian Tillman]

Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]

Note that export/import isn't the best way as you can lose some info -
would've been best to just copy your existing PST file to the CD
using your CD burning software - however, even now, you can open up
the existing PST file in Outlook once you've made it accessible on
your HD and make it the default PST/delivery location for your OL
profile. No import required, unless you have stuff in your 'new' PST
file you need....

In fact, there have been several reports of unreadable PSTs when using
Outlook 2003's export wizard. That's not to say explicitly that there are
bugs in it, but several people have reported problems and have not been able
to open the PST, no matter what methods were suggested.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]

Note that export/import isn't the best way as you can lose some info
- would've been best to just copy your existing PST file to the CD
using your CD burning software - however, even now, you can open up
the existing PST file in Outlook once you've made it accessible on
your HD and make it the default PST/delivery location for your OL
profile. No import required, unless you have stuff in your 'new' PST
file you need....

In fact, there have been several reports of unreadable PSTs when using
Outlook 2003's export wizard. That's not to say explicitly that
there are bugs in it, but several people have reported problems and
have not been able to open the PST, no matter what methods were
suggested.

Eeek!