Moved 2 new computer, missing Configured features

[MikeCox]

I recently moved my PST file to my new computer. Data is there; including my
Rules, but I had to import my Junk mail lists.

However, I've discovered many missing features: Signatures are gone, spell
check doesn't come up, my text format is gone, e-mail addresses don't fill
in unless I click the TO: field and type them into the Search field of the
pop up list.

I followed these instructions to configure Outlook 2007 on my new computer;
which, btw is Vista 64-bit :

"To restore your pst-file, copy the file to the location where you want to
work with it like; D:\My Documents\My Outlook\Temp.
If you restored from CD/DVD, make sure you uncheck the "Read Only" file
attribute by right clicking the file and choosing Properties. Now open
Outlook and connect to the file by choosing; File-> Open-> Outlook Data File…
You can now check if the backup was successful and you made sure you backed
up the right file."

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Those instructions would not work for Outlook 2007. Outlook 2007 always
creates its own PST file first. After you connect to your old PST, you must
set it as the default, restart Outlook, close the new PST file, then
configure your address book service to use your old file. Correct
instructions have been posted here daily.
Take a look at these pages for info on Outlook data backup or transfer:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

Note that some of the information on these pages is outdated and no longer
applies to Outlook 2003 or 2007. Specifically:
1. Ignore any advice to copy your PST file to Outlook's default location to
connect it to your profile. Doing so only corrupts your profile. Copy it
anywhere BUT the default location and open it within your Outlook profile.
2. Ignore any advice that tells you to use export or import to transfer
Outlook data. That has never been sound advice, but the process has become
too deeply flawed now to be of any use whatsoever.

 

[John K.]

The .PST file just contains the Outlook objects data, i.e., emails, contacts,
calendar items, etc.
Other things - as you mention - are not contained in the .PST file.

The To: autocomplete is is contained in an NK2 file (usualluy Outlook.NK2)
and is located in C:\Documents and Settings\#your profile name#\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Signatures can usually be found in C:\Documents and Settings\#your profile
name#\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures

See this link for exporting/importing your rules:
http://www.slipstick.com/rules/backup.htm

Hope some of this helps.

John

 

[MikeCox]

Thanks Russ,

Why is this process is so confusing that instructions have to be "posted
daily", to address it? Why hasn't MS addressed the problem, in it's many
upgrades, and made the process clear and simple? I checked "Browse Outlook
Help" and there isn't even a category that remotely relates to the problem.

I will read you links and see if I can get it sorted out. But now I have two
version of my pst file: the one still on my old machine and the one on my new
machine that I've been working from. Which means new addresses, e-mails,
notes, to-do changes, etc.

What a mess!
--
Michael

Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Those instructions would not work for Outlook 2007. Outlook 2007 always
creates its own PST file first. After you connect to your old PST, you must
set it as the default, restart Outlook, close the new PST file, then
configure your address book service to use your old file. Correct
instructions have been posted here daily.
Take a look at these pages for info on Outlook data backup or transfer:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

Note that some of the information on these pages is outdated and no longer
applies to Outlook 2003 or 2007. Specifically:
1. Ignore any advice to copy your PST file to Outlook's default location to
connect it to your profile. Doing so only corrupts your profile. Copy it
anywhere BUT the default location and open it within your Outlook profile.
2. Ignore any advice that tells you to use export or import to transfer
Outlook data. That has never been sound advice, but the process has become
too deeply flawed now to be of any use whatsoever.


--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I recently moved my PST file to my new computer. Data is there; including
my
Rules, but I had to import my Junk mail lists.

However, I've discovered many missing features: Signatures are gone,
spell
check doesn't come up, my text format is gone, e-mail addresses don't
fill
in unless I click the TO: field and type them into the Search field of the
pop up list.

I followed these instructions to configure Outlook 2007 on my new
computer;
which, btw is Vista 64-bit :

"To restore your pst-file, copy the file to the location where you want to
work with it like; D:\My Documents\My Outlook\Temp.
If you restored from CD/DVD, make sure you uncheck the "Read Only" file
attribute by right clicking the file and choosing Properties. Now open
Outlook and connect to the file by choosing; File-> Open-> Outlook Data
File…
You can now check if the backup was successful and you made sure you
backed
up the right file."

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Microsoft only provides information on the things it has fixed or does well.
It does not publicize or admit to the things it does poorly. Outlook was
never intended to be an email client for a standalone user. Accordingly it
has never handled PST files in a rational or consistent fashion. It has
grown worse with each version. Microsoft has made no effort to improve
Outlook's handling of PST files and appears to have no intention of doing
so. As a result, migrating Outlook data has become an exercise in futility
that no one can do correctly by relying on instincts or by using methods
that work for other programs.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks Russ,

Why is this process is so confusing that instructions have to be "posted
daily", to address it? Why hasn't MS addressed the problem, in it's many
upgrades, and made the process clear and simple? I checked "Browse Outlook
Help" and there isn't even a category that remotely relates to the
problem.

I will read you links and see if I can get it sorted out. But now I have
two
version of my pst file: the one still on my old machine and the one on my
new
machine that I've been working from. Which means new addresses, e-mails,
notes, to-do changes, etc.

What a mess!
--
Michael

Vista Home Premium 64-bit

Those instructions would not work for Outlook 2007. Outlook 2007 always
creates its own PST file first. After you connect to your old PST, you
must
set it as the default, restart Outlook, close the new PST file, then
configure your address book service to use your old file. Correct
instructions have been posted here daily.
Take a look at these pages for info on Outlook data backup or transfer:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

Note that some of the information on these pages is outdated and no
longer
applies to Outlook 2003 or 2007. Specifically:
1. Ignore any advice to copy your PST file to Outlook's default location
to
connect it to your profile. Doing so only corrupts your profile. Copy it
anywhere BUT the default location and open it within your Outlook
profile.
2. Ignore any advice that tells you to use export or import to transfer
Outlook data. That has never been sound advice, but the process has
become
too deeply flawed now to be of any use whatsoever.


--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I recently moved my PST file to my new computer. Data is there;
including
my
Rules, but I had to import my Junk mail lists.

However, I've discovered many missing features: Signatures are gone,
spell
check doesn't come up, my text format is gone, e-mail addresses don't
fill
in unless I click the TO: field and type them into the Search field of
the
pop up list.

I followed these instructions to configure Outlook 2007 on my new
computer;
which, btw is Vista 64-bit :

"To restore your pst-file, copy the file to the location where you want
to
work with it like; D:\My Documents\My Outlook\Temp.
If you restored from CD/DVD, make sure you uncheck the "Read Only" file
attribute by right clicking the file and choosing Properties. Now open
Outlook and connect to the file by choosing; File-> Open-> Outlook Data
File…
You can now check if the backup was successful and you made sure you
backed
up the right file."

 

[MikeCox]

Thanks that was very helpfu indeed!
Michael

Vista Home Premium 64-bit