Is backing up to a pst file the best way to go & is there a max si

[stevenjf]

Hi there
i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
storing them on a separate hdd .
Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big and
more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
Outlook is definetly hanging .
I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my business
and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by importing
my latest pst files
I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
Regards
Steve

 

[Gordon]

Hi there
i have been backing up all the data in my outlook 2003 to pst files and
storing them on a separate hdd .
Over the last 8 years my pst's are now reaching 10 gig , is this to big
and
more importantly is the data to large for the program ?
Are there any better backups methods or ways to handle all this data .
Outlook is definetly hanging .
I need to gain access to all the information within Outlook for my
business
and so am looking for any solutions or bright ideas too ?
Does anyone know if Outlook 2007 handles the data any better and if
purchased whether i can easily transfer the information into it by
importing
my latest pst files
I am using XP Pro and a pentium 4 pc with 3 gigs of ram .
Regards
Steve

I think there are several points here. How are you "backing up TO pst
files"? If you are not using Exchange server then your Outlook data already
IS in a pst file. Are you using the export function? You shouldn't. All you
should do to make a backup is to copy the pst file, when Outlook is closed.
Secondly, you don't use the import function either - in Outlook just do
File-Open-Outlook Data File.
Thirdly, Outlook 2003 uses the same Unicode format pst file as Outlook
2007 - there may not be any performance enhancements by moving to 2007. Why
not download and install the trial version of Office 2007 and see?

 

[DL]

Or you use the free backup addin available on MS outlook site
8 years? I think that predates OL2003 so do you have multiple back up pst
files?

 

[Pat Willener]

There are several ways to backup your PST files
· copy the PST file to a backup location (while Outlook is closed);
· ZIP the PST file to backup location (while Outlook is closed);
· use the Windows backup tool (still while Outlook is closed);
· use a 3rd party backup tool (yes, while Outlook is closed);
· use the Outlook backup addin (I think Outlook is running for this).

There is one way that is *not* a valid way to backup PST files
· use of the Outook 'Export' function; it will corrupt your data.

 

[stevenjf]

Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i am !

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
for safe backup .

Have i done this all wrong , i am really worried now ? It was how i was
advised to backup by an IT chum .

When i check File-Open-Outlook Data File i have a number of pst's there
including archive , archive backup , backup15 and Outlook . Upon checking the
size of this outlook pst its only 6.38 GB rather than my last copy which is
nearer to 10 GB . My copied psts number 23 now .

Some more help please !!

Thanks

Steve



When i select

 

[stevenjf]

Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i am !

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
for safe backup .

Have i done this all wrong , i am really worried now ? It was how i was
advised to backup by an IT chum .

When i check File-Open-Outlook Data File i have a number of pst's there
including archive , archive backup , backup15 and Outlook . Upon checking the
size of this outlook pst its only 6.38 GB rather than my last copy which is
nearer to 10 GB . My copied psts number 23 now .

Some more help please !!

Thanks

Steve

 

[stevenjf]

Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i am !

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
for safe backup .

Have i done this all wrong , i am really worried now ? It was how i was
advised to backup by an IT chum .

When i check File-Open-Outlook Data File i have a number of pst's there
including archive , archive backup , backup15 and Outlook . Upon checking the
size of this outlook pst its only 6.38 GB rather than my last copy which is
nearer to 10 GB . My copied psts number 23 now .

Some more help please !!

Thanks

Steve

 

[Gordon]

Gordon , DL and Pat i think i have confused myself and am not sure where i
am !

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked
and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this
has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable
HDD
for safe backup .

If you are connecting to Exchange Server for your email, then yes, that is
the right way to do it. If you have a POP email account then that is the
WRONG way to do it!

 

[DL]

Export has never been the way to backup outlook data files, it loses data
and other settings.
The process has been detailed here many many times.
With Outlook closed you simpy copy the pst files to some other location, or
you use the free Outlook backup addin available from MS Outlook site.

When you open Outlook how many sets of Personal Folders do you have
attached, and apart from the default msg store what are all the others?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

When i back up my Outllok 2003 i hit import / export to > pst file > make
sure that all personal folders is highlighted and subfolders are ticked and
select the desktop for the copy location . After some time and after this
has
finished i copy the large pst file to my docs and to a separate portable HDD
for safe backup .

I'd create a new PST with File>New>Outlook Data File, then copy each folder
individually to that new PST. No exporting for me. Also, did you close
Outlook before copying the PST you created to the portable drive?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

· use the Outlook backup addin (I think Outlook is running for this).

Actually, Outlook starts the backup add-in just before it closes, but the
add-in won't be able to perform its copying unless the Outlook process
actually closes.

 

[Pat Willener]

Steve,

No need to get confused, even if the matter can get confusing at times.

If you are in no immediate need to restore your exported "backups",
forget about them and start a new life

Choose one of the methods I have outlined below, and do your regular
backups that way. Always make sure that Outlook is closed when running
backup, otherwise Outlook may not be able to use a restored PST file.