Lost old data file after converting expired trial to full version.

[crobba1]

Initially, after my Outlook 2007 trial expired, I had decided not to
convert to the full version, choosing to use the Windows Mail program
that came with Vista instead.

I later found, however, that I was no longer able to access the mail
that was stored on the trial version at time of expiry.

Today, I purchased the full version and after installation, found that
my old data had disappeared - the program automatically replaced the
former with the current, thereby defeating the entire purpose of
converting it to the full product.

I have tried to access the old messages through File > Open > Outlook
Data File > Email Account, but that only seems to open a file
identical to the current version in the navigation pane.

Please tell me that there is some way to reconnect the old data file.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[crobba1]

I forgot to mention this:

Additionally, when I try to import the files, the default file
(backup.pst) gives me a message saying:

"Cannot find this file. Verify the path and file name are correct."

and when I select either of the two email accounts I had individually,
it says:

"This personal folders file (.pst) is already in use in the current
profile."

I haven't restarted my computer, nor was I ever prompted to do
anything during installation after entering the product key. How can
it be like this? Where did my files go??

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Highly unlikely that your old data "disappeared." More likely, you just
didn't keep track of it or bother to back it up. Of course your new
installation created a new data file. Your old one is still on your hard
drive unless you reformatted it. Just search for all Outlook data files
(*.pst) and open each in Outlook until you find your data. They are hidden
files.

 

[crobba1]

I have searched the darn computer back to front (I think).

I cannot seem to find ANY data files other than the new ones.
Is it possible that when installing the full verson Outlook 2007 it
sync-ed the product with mail I had today on my various internet
servers (which I no longer had the files that were on the expired
tial) and simply wrote over the old stuff?

I have not reformatted my harddrive, just popped in the CD and the
product key.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Not possible. Uninstalling, reinstalling, upgrading never touch data files.

 

[crobba1]

I figured out how to restore the outlook file from a shadow copy - to
my delight, the old messages came back.

Unfortunately, this delight was short-lived as only the headers
returned - the body of each restored message came back blank - with an
error message, when (attempted to) open saying:

"Cannot open this item. This operation is not supported until the
entire message is downloaded. Download the message and try again."

Seeing as this entire frustration stemmed from the messages not being
available anywhere but the expired trial, I guess I'm out of luck?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Shouldn't be. But then you haven't told us very much. What sort of mail
account were you using with the trial version? If you were using a standard
POP/SMTP account, your Outlook data file would still be perfectly intact on
your hard drive.

 

[crobba1]

The messages I wish to retrieve came from an AOL account.

Those messages are no longer stored on AOL.

I restored the .pst file to the earliest version stored on my
computer, so I'm not sure where this "intact" file would be located on
my hard drive?

I greatly appreciate your help!

What else can I do?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

I know nothing about AOL. What type of mail server does it use? Did you
follow the instructions I posted that would tell you how to find your file?

 

[Brian Tillman]

The messages I wish to retrieve came from an AOL account.

Then you were using an IMAP account and were downloading only the headers.

Those messages are no longer stored on AOL.

Why do you believe they are not? Unless you specifically delete messages
from the server, IMAP accounts ALWAYS leave the messages on the server.
Moreover, the fact that Outlook was complaining that only the headers exist
in the PST is an excellent indication that the messages are still on the
server. All you should need to do is create a new IMAP account pointing at
your AOL mailbox.

 

[chaoco]

Someone should make a list of software that still has complete functionality even after the trial has ended and can still be used while it informs you every time that it has ended, yet still has export, import, save, etc...