bad pst-file

[Jo Lambrecht]

Hi,

I have a pst-file of my "old" outlook data. When i try to import that data
into my outlook, i get a warning "Errors have been detected in the file
<drive>:\folder\backupfile.pst. Quit outlook an the use the inbox repair
tool to diagnose and repair errors in the file".
When i use SCANPST to check my pst file, after phase 4 of 8 the tool stops
with the message that there are errors in the file and cannot continue.
I have 3 different backups of my pst-file, One as of yesterday on harddisk,
on weekly backup on another harddisk and another one on tapedevice, so for
once whe have backups !!! (because the data in outlook is crucial) and now i
can't seem to get it imported. The size of the pst-file is slightly over
2Gb.

Anyone has any ideas to get the file imported, repaired, fixed ?

Regards,
Jo Lambrecht

 

[DL]

What version of OL?
If pre OL2003 then 2gb is above the pst limit
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296088
Do not import pst, In OL File/Open/Data file.....browse to location.
You may have to run repair tool several times

 

[Guest]

From what you have said so far, I have concluded that you first tried to use
the Import and Export… feature and if it failed correct? This is a pst or
Personal Folder correct? Have you tried to copy and paste the file directly
in the where the Archived Folder stores the pst files? Alternatively, you
can save the pst file to a separate folder in Windows and direct Outlook to
access that folder via Data File Management… option. Hope that helps, if it
does not, please state the steps you have completed and the results in
addition to what you trying to accomplish again.

 

[Jo Lambrecht]

Hi,

I"ve used test-trialed several softwares to solve my problem. The best
result i had with Ontrack EasyRecovery EmailRepair, it kept my "old"
structure in place, there where only 2 folders i couldn't recover. I also
tested the microsoft tool (2GB152) to cut the file above the 2Gb with of
course loss of data. After cutting it down, i ran the inbox repair tool to
recover the cut-off pst-file. The "old" structure of my pst file was a mess,
with just a few "recover#number" folders with several data in it. With the
first solution i was able to recover 80% to 90% witch was sufficient for the
customer.
Thanks for the hints and tips,

Regards,
Jo Lambrecht

 

[Brian Tillman]

From what you have said so far, I have concluded that you first tried
to use the Import and Export… feature and if it failed correct? This
is a pst or Personal Folder correct? Have you tried to copy and
paste the file directly in the where the Archived Folder stores the
pst files?

Careful here. Never overwrite a PST of the same name if that PST is
currently known to Outlook.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I have 3 different backups of my pst-file, One as of yesterday on
harddisk, on weekly backup on another harddisk and another one on
tapedevice, so for once whe have backups !!! (because the data in
outlook is crucial) and now i can't seem to get it imported. The size
of the pst-file is slightly over 2Gb.

How did you make the backups? Was Outlook open when they were made? For
versions of Outlook prior to OL 2003, you've exceeded the allowed size of a
PST and it could be corrupted beyond repair. See if anything here helps:
http://www.slipstick.com/problems/repair2gbpst.htm