Help - Cannot import contacts

[Beemer]

In Outlook 2003 exported all my contacts to a new PST file. I then tried to
import the contacts from this file onto Outlook 2003 running on my laptop.
The file is on my laptop but on using the import from PST I get the message

"The file (one I made on my desktop and transferred to my laptop)
*******.pst is in use and could not be accessed. Close any application that
is using this file, and then try again."

However this file is not being used by anything only Outlook 2003 is running
with its default pst.

Beemer

 

[Brian Tillman]

In Outlook 2003 exported all my contacts to a new PST file.

Imported from what?

I then
tried to import the contacts from this file onto Outlook 2003 running
on my laptop. The file is on my laptop but on using the import from
PST I get the message

There's never any reas to import from a PST and plenty of reasons why you
should not, most of which are posted in this group hundreds of times.

"The file (one I made on my desktop and transferred to my laptop)
*******.pst is in use and could not be accessed. Close any
application that is using this file, and then try again."

However this file is not being used by anything only Outlook 2003 is
running with its default pst.

Close Outlook completely. Make sure it's closed in Task Manager's Processes
list (i.e., no OUTLOOK.EXE). Then use Control Panel's Mail applet's Data
Files button to add the PST you want to your mail profile. No import
needed. Open Outlook and use drag-and-drop to move the data around as you
see fit. When finished, close Outlook and use the Mail applet to remove the
PST again.

 

[Beemer]

|
| > In Outlook 2003 exported all my contacts to a new PST file.
|
| Imported from what?
|
| > I then
| > tried to import the contacts from this file onto Outlook 2003 running
| > on my laptop. The file is on my laptop but on using the import from
| > PST I get the message
|
| There's never any reas to import from a PST and plenty of reasons why you
| should not, most of which are posted in this group hundreds of times.
|
| > "The file (one I made on my desktop and transferred to my laptop)
| > *******.pst is in use and could not be accessed. Close any
| > application that is using this file, and then try again."
| >
| > However this file is not being used by anything only Outlook 2003 is
| > running with its default pst.
|
| Close Outlook completely. Make sure it's closed in Task Manager's
Processes
| list (i.e., no OUTLOOK.EXE). Then use Control Panel's Mail applet's Data
| Files button to add the PST you want to your mail profile. No import
| needed. Open Outlook and use drag-and-drop to move the data around as you
| see fit. When finished, close Outlook and use the Mail applet to remove
the
| PST again.
| --
| Brian Tillman
|

What do your mean when you inserted "imported from what" ? Microsoft should
not have stated an option to export to a new PST then offer an import from
that PST if it is as you say not a good idea.

I have tried your applet suggestion and there is no way that I can access
the new pst. I am the administrator and with all system folders and files
unhidden I cannot navigate to the folder of the the new PST whether it is in
the folder I put it in or even if I move it to the same \local
settings\Application data\Microsoft\Outlook\ folder.

Beemer

 

[DL]

So are you saying, with OL closed, using the Mail Applet;
Data Files>Add>Office Outlook Personal Folders File>
Doesnt then open a seperate browse window?

 

[Brian Tillman]

What do your mean when you inserted "imported from what" ?

I mean from what type of file did you import?

Microsoft should not have stated an option to export to a new PST then
offer an import from
that PST if it is as you say not a good idea.

I'd agree with that, but they did anyway. The fact remains that if you
export to or import from a PST, you WILL lose data. One doesn't import to
or export from a Word document with Word, one doesn't import from or export
to a spreadsheet when using Excel, one doesn't import from or export to a
presentation with PowerPoint. Likewise, one doesn't import from or export
to a PST with Outlook. It's Outlook's native file type. You don't need
export or import. Moreover, importing from a PST can even damage your mail
profile on occasion.

I have tried your applet suggestion and there is no way that I can
access the new pst.

Click Add and browse to it.

I am the administrator and with all system
folders and files unhidden I cannot navigate to the folder of the the
new PST whether it is in the folder I put it in or even if I move it
to the same \local settings\Application data\Microsoft\Outlook\
folder.

What do you mean by "cannot browse"? What exactly happens when you try?