Mail app can't read address book

[Inbox20039]

After a fatal crash I had to reload the OS (XP upgraded to SP3). I then
reloaded MS Office Pro 2003. I had the old Outlook.pst and extend.dat files
which I then copied over into the ...\local settings\application
data\microsoft\outlook folder and renamed them and over wrote the resident
files.

When I opened Outlook all the emails were there and all the contact
information was there, also all the calendar information and tasks were
there. However, when I wanted to add addresses by clicking the To: tab, I
got a message the the address book couldn't be opened. This message has been
well document in this forum. I read the recommended solution and did the
following.

I went to tools/email accounts and deleted the address book (only one
present). I then opened the contacts in a separate window and right clicked
on the "Contacts" icon under "My Contacts" and chose properties. I then
clicked on the "Outbook Address Book" tab, but the "show this folder as an
e-mail address book" is greyed out so I cannot put a check in the box.

Where do I go from here?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No question is answered more often than this. You did everything wrong you
possibly could to migrate your data. You never rename Outlook data files.
You never overwrite Outlook data files. Your Outlook profile is now
thoroughly corrupt.
I trust you back up your data. Create a new Outlook profile the correct
methods for migrating your backed up data files. Those methods are posted
here daily:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

 

[Inbox20039]

After reading the links you have posted, I see that I have actually done
exactly what these have suggested. I backed up the .pst file by copying it
when Outlook was closed to another location and to recover, I took that file
and copied it back into the default .pst location.

So how is it that you claim I have now corrupted the file?

 

[Gordon]

After reading the links you have posted, I see that I have actually done
exactly what these have suggested. I backed up the .pst file by copying
it
when Outlook was closed to another location and to recover, I took that
file
and copied it back into the default .pst location.

So how is it that you claim I have now corrupted the file?

Please QUOTE the post you are replying to.
The process of copying a pst file and pasting it into the default location
(presumably overwriting the existing file) is one of the best known ways of
corrupting your Mail Profile and/or the pst file....

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No you didn't. You said you renamed the PST file in Windows Explorer. You
said you copied the file to the default location. You never do either of
those. That corrupts the Outlook profile, not the file itself.
Read the directions:
You copy the file to any location but the default location. You connect it
to the profile by OPENING the file in Outlook and setting it as the default
delivery location.
Copying the file to the default location will not connect it to the profile.

 

[Inbox20039]

It was not clear to me that the restoration of a backup would not be into the
default directory. That is what I am understanding you to say now. Is that
correct?

Assuming this is so and I have corrupted the profile as you suggested,
(rather than the data file itself). How do I repair this damage?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

All of that information was included in the pages I referenced. If you don't
know how to create a new profile, that is a standard procedure well
documented in all Help files.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;829918&Product=out2003