Help importing archive .pst file

  • Thread starter Thread starter rb608
  • Start date Start date
R

rb608

While at my previous employer, I was religious about backing up all of my
Outlook files & folders into a file named archive.pst. When I left, I
copied that file to a CDROM, which I copied to my desktop here. Now, I'd
like to import that data into Outlook on my home PC; but I'm having a
problem.

I am going through the steps in the import wizard:
File>Import and Export
Import from another program or file
Personal Folder File (,pst)
Using "Browse", I locate and select the <archive.pst> file on my hard drive
and click "Open", then "Next".
That's when I get the error message: "Properties for this service must be
define prior to use."
I click OK.
Then I get the error message: "The file C:\WINDOWS\Desktop\archive.pst is
not a personal folders file."
The heck it's not. What the hell? I click OK.

I'm guessing I left out some option in the installation of Outlook, because
it's clear that Windows doesn't recognize the file type. The icon for the
..pst file is the generic file icon instead of the .pst file icon.

Can anyone point me to whatever I screwed up?

TIA,
Joe
 
You must remove the "Read Only" file property before you can open it in
Outlook as Outlook need read and write access to the file.

Also note that by importing the file you'll loose custum forms and views.
Better is to open (unless you want to combine it with the current pst-file)
the file by using File-> Open-> Outlook Data File...

--
Roady
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Roady said:
You must remove the "Read Only" file property before you can open it in
Outlook as Outlook need read and write access to the file.
Click to expand...

Did that. Sorry, forgot to mention it.
Also note that by importing the file you'll loose custum forms and views.
Better is to open (unless you want to combine it with the current pst-file)
the file by using File-> Open-> Outlook Data File...
Click to expand...

I don't really care about the custom stuff, I mostly want my Contacts back
because my son wiped out my Palm Pilot & this file is where the backup data
is.

If I'm in Outlook (2000), I don't have the File>Open>Outlook Data File menu
item. All I have is File>Open>Personal Folders File (.pst), and that gives
the same result as the wizard.

Tx,
Joe
 
I recently had the same problem. I'm no expert, but the issue I believe is that Outlook needs to be able to "interact" with the .pst file in order to use it - since you have it on a CD-ROM no interaction can occur (read-only) so Outlook rejects the file. Try copying the .pst file onto your hard drive (which is magnetic vs. optical and thus able to interact) and then go through the same steps, pointing Outlook to the .pst on your hard drive. It worked for me.
 
maid marian said:
Try copying the .pst file onto your hard drive (which is magnetic vs.
Click to expand...
optical and thus able to interact) and then go through the same steps,
pointing Outlook to the .pst on your hard drive. It worked for me.

Thanks. Did that already- didn't help. My problem seems to be more rooted
in the fact that Windows doesn't seem to recognize the file type.

Joe F.
 
How are you currently connected? To an Exchange server?

--
Roady
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-----
 
-----Original Message-----
Thanks. Did that already- didn't help. My problem seems to be more rooted
in the fact that Windows doesn't seem to recognize the file type.
Click to expand...
It sounds to me as if the .pst file is corrupted. I
assume you have checked the file extension in folder
options ? If it shows ok, then run the inbox repair tool,
it may recover the file for you.
 
It sounds to me as if the .pst file is corrupted.
Click to expand...

Don't even go there. said:
I
assume you have checked the file extension in folder
options ? If it shows ok, then run the inbox repair tool,
it may recover the file for you.
Click to expand...

The file extension is not listed in the Folder types list. I've screwed
those up before, so I'm not confident to add it manually. I expected the
Outlook installation to configure the application association automatically.

Joe F.
 
-----Original Message-----
Click to expand...
Don't even go there. <g>
Click to expand...

ok :)
The file extension is not listed in the Folder types
list. I've screwed
those up before, so I'm not confident to add it
manually. I expected the
Outlook installation to configure the application
association automatically.
Click to expand...

There lies the problem then, you could try running the
detect and repair utility in outlook (in the help menu)
or add the file extension properties manually, quite
easy, click new, file extension = pst, click advanced and
select "office data file"..OK everything, should work
then.

HTH
 
Did you install Outlook in IMO mode? See here how you can change to IMO
mode;
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=195507

This should allow you to add a pst-file via File-> Open-> Personal Folder...

Otherwise you should be able to add it by Tools-> Accounts-> Add...->
Personal Folder (directions could be a bit)

--
Roady
www.sparnaaij.net
Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office related News
Also Outlook FAQ, How To's, Downloads and more...
Tip of the month:
-Tips for cleaning up your mailbox
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive news and tips & tricks in your
mailbox!
www.sparnaaij.net
(I changed my reply address; remove all CAPS and _underscores_ from the
address when mailing)
-----
 
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