Confused over pst files

[Guest]

I have recently upgraded to Outlook 2003 from 2002 because I was constantly
exceeding the max PST file size.
When I upgraded I transferred the data from a file called Outlook1.pst to a
file called Personalfolders1.pst (new pst file and default name given by
Outlook when 2003 was installed) Outlook1 was the original file used by 2002.
When I tried to use Outlook I was still getting the message re oversize mail
box.
I then renamed the Outlook1.pst file to .old and renamed the new
personalfile(1).pst file to Outlook1.pst and Outllok 2003 seemed to work
okay. Hoever it now keeps looking for the new file personalfile(1).pst

How do I stop this and is there an easy explanantion as to how pst files
work and how to change them. I could not see a way of changing the default
file that outlook looks at.

Any help (in very simple english) would be appreciated.

Regards
Neil

 

[Oliver Vukovics]

Dear Neil,

to rename a PST file is not the right way to change a PST file in Outlook.
Every PST file has more information as only a name, that you have to change.
Every PST file has an "internal number" to decibe PST files.

(All developers must excuse this description, he asked for a simple
explenation)

How to change a default PST file in your situation?

1.) I would create a new Outlook Profile with the "Outlook1.pst" as only
and default PST:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=829918

In your actual profile, your Outlook is still searching for the "original"
PST file.

If you would have 2 PST file (2 different Personal Folders) in one profile,
you can change the default PST file unter "Tools/Email Accounts/Show
available Email Accounts => In the leftt corner you can change the
"delivery" folder, but in your situation I would create a new profile.

I hope this information will help.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

To add to what Oliver had to say, there is no upgrade path for a .pst file from the older format to the OUtlook 2003 format. You would need to create a new .pst file using the OUtlook format and them move your data from the old file into that new file.

You can manage your .pst files using the File | Data File Management command.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers