Importing older .pst file into Outlook 2003?

[Guest]

I am getting an error message "file not personal folders file" when trying to
import a .pst file that was created in version 2000 into Outlook 2003. Tried
converting non-Unicode to Unicode but that did not work. Need help please.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

First: importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.You just
open the PST file in Outlook and either copy what you need from it or
configure it as your default data file.
Second: Post some useful information. Basic information would include how
you created and transferred this PST file. "Tried converting from
non-Unicode to Unicode" makes no sense. You can't convert PST files.

 

[outkast.dallas]

First: importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.You just
open the PST file in Outlook and either copy what you need from it or
configure it as your default data file.
Second: Post some useful information. Basic information would include how
you created and transferred this PST file. "Tried converting from
non-Unicode to Unicode" makes no sense. You can't convert PST files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I am getting an error message "file not personal folders file" when trying
to
import a .pst file that was created in version 2000 into Outlook 2003.
Tried
converting non-Unicode to Unicode but that did not work. Need help
please.

Russell - you state importing is never the correct way to transfer
outlook data. If in fact this is the case, then why does MSFT state
that this IS a methog of transferring data? Im confused.

 

[Guest]

OK - In Outlook 2000 - I used the EXPORT function and selected the .pst
version. I then saved this .pst file.
In Outlook 2003 - I used the IMPORT function and selected the .pst file
following the directions on the help page for importing older .pst files.
The error I get no matter what method I try is "file xxxxx.pst is not a
personal folders file."
I further tried creating a NEW Personal Folder file in 2003 and then tried
importing the old .pst file into this one with the same error message.
I have also tried simply opening up the old .pst file (again following
directions from other posts and help file in Microsoft) with the same error
message.
I tried the Non-Unicode to Unicode as that was one of the options in
troubleshooting importing problems from Microsoft.

First: importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.You just
open the PST file in Outlook and either copy what you need from it or
configure it as your default data file.
Second: Post some useful information. Basic information would include how
you created and transferred this PST file. "Tried converting from
non-Unicode to Unicode" makes no sense. You can't convert PST files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I am getting an error message "file not personal folders file" when trying
to
import a .pst file that was created in version 2000 into Outlook 2003.
Tried
converting non-Unicode to Unicode but that did not work. Need help
please.

 

[outkast.dallas]

Typically you dont want to use the export function to "save" a pst
file. Knowing the file path is good enough. Then after installing 2003
and opening it you create a new profile and 2003 will create a new
non-uni pst for you. Once that has been done you right click it, choose
open data file and browse to your old pst file. From here you can open
it and see all of your old email. Note that by opening your old pst
file in 2003 it will not be magically converted to the new non-unicode
format and will still have the 2gb file size limit but you will be able
to see your old emails.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info - I wish I knew a little more about .pst files. I left
my old job and had a lot of contacts in my Outlook address book.
I am more concerned about getting my contacts that I had in the old version
of Outlook. Am I screwed or is there still a way to extract the contacts
from the old .pst file?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

So you believe everything you read? Microsoft has never acknowledged how
deeply flawed their exporting and importing process is. Even a cursory
review of these groups should convince you.
Do not use it. Ever.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

First: importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.You
just
open the PST file in Outlook and either copy what you need from it or
configure it as your default data file.
Second: Post some useful information. Basic information would include how
you created and transferred this PST file. "Tried converting from
non-Unicode to Unicode" makes no sense. You can't convert PST files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I am getting an error message "file not personal folders file" when
trying
to
import a .pst file that was created in version 2000 into Outlook 2003.
Tried
converting non-Unicode to Unicode but that did not work. Need help
please.

Russell - you state importing is never the correct way to transfer
outlook data. If in fact this is the case, then why does MSFT state
that this IS a methog of transferring data? Im confused.