Backing up desktop to laptop

[s boak]

Hi Folks:

I have a desktop and laptop.
I travel frequently and would like to "copy" the desktop .pst to the laptop.

Would it be possible to simply delete the .pst file from the laptop, and
then just use Outlook's Backup function to backup ("copy") the desktop data
to the laptop ??

Other than this being a time consuming process, any caveats ??
I have a third party program that's prblematic and poorly documented.

Both machines are XP-Pro with Office 2003 with all current patches.

Thanks
Steve

 

[Brian Tillman]

I have a desktop and laptop.
I travel frequently and would like to "copy" the desktop .pst to the
laptop.
Would it be possible to simply delete the .pst file from the laptop,
and then just use Outlook's Backup function to backup ("copy") the
desktop data to the laptop ??

Deleting any PST that is referenced by a mail profile runs a good risk of
corrupting hte profile. Use the techniques outllined here:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

 

[Guest]

Excellent method detailed here:

http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

 

[s boak]

Thanks to you both - I'll give it a try
SB

Excellent method detailed here:

http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

 

[s boak]

Kathleen / Brian
After reading the link, may I do this:
Re-name the the laptop's current *.pst to old.pst
Back-up the desktop to the laptop
Re-start OL in the laptop (should point to the back-up) ??
Thanks

 

[Brian Tillman]

Kathleen / Brian
After reading the link, may I do this:
Re-name the the laptop's current *.pst to old.pst
Back-up the desktop to the laptop
Re-start OL in the laptop (should point to the back-up) ??

That's not a good idea. Renaming a PST that is currently part of a mail
profile is a good way to corrupt the profle. Instead use Control Panel's
Mail applet to change the profile to point to the PST you want priot to
starting Outlook.

 

[Steve Hayes]

Hi Folks:

I have a desktop and laptop.
I travel frequently and would like to "copy" the desktop .pst to the laptop.

Would it be possible to simply delete the .pst file from the laptop, and
then just use Outlook's Backup function to backup ("copy") the desktop data
to the laptop ??

I use a USB flash frive, and the DOS Copy command in a batch file.

Well, not quite. I use an old utility called BAC.COM, which will only copy
files that are newer, but the effect is the same.

 

[s boak]

Great idea - i'll give it a whirl.
Many thanks
SB