Migration of OST file from Outlook 2000 to XP

[Stan]

Hello,
I've got a bunch of laptops with big OST files. We're going to be
upgrading from Outlook 2000 to Outlook XP at a sales meeting where we
will be off-LAN access. The method we are using to upgrade is to
reinstall the entire C: drive of the laptops (there is a lot of new
software being installed, and all user data including the OST file is
on D. A problem has come up in testing where, when attempting to
point the "new" outlook to the existing OST file, it doesn't appear to
recognize the user. Error is "Unable to expand the folder. The set
of folders could not be opened. The Exchange Server has detected that
you are using an old copy of your OST file. Please delete your OST
file and create sa new one from the server"

We have basically 256K connectivity to configure 110 laptops in one
day, so there's no way we can rebuild all those OSTs over the wire in
time. There has to be a migration tool or some other method for
moving an OST file from one installation to another, anyone out there
know what it is?

Any info appreciated.
Thanks,
Stan

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP]]

OST files cannot be migrated. They are tied to the specific Outlook profile that created them.

A possible solution is to export the entire OST file to a PST file on drive D, then reinstall everything including the Outlook profiles, creating a new OST file, then importing the PST file. TEST THIS FIRST -- because I have serious doubts about whether it will work either. I suspect it will consider the imported data as new items, rather than items that already exist in the mailbox.

Another approach might be to export the entire OST file, delete everything in the folders, then sync the mailbox (which should delete everything on the server side). Upgrade the machine, then open the PST file, but don't try to bring its data into the mailbox.

The ideal approach if preserving the data is a goal would be to leave the profiles alone and upgrade in place.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Outlook and Exchange solutions at http://www.slipstick.com
Author of
Microsoft Outlook Programming: Jumpstart
for Administrators, Power Users, and Developers