Outlook 2002 and 2003 PST issues

[JR]

Hello,

I've read through a bunch of messages regarding Outlook 2002 and 2003
compatibility and I understand the issues of setting 2003 pst files
for 2002 compatibility (note that I do not have Outlook 2003 yet).
Most of the question, however, deal with importing 2003 pst files into
2002 or vice-versa. My question is a little different.

My PST file is on a removable hard drive. I use it regularly on up to
three systems (i.e. moving the drive from system to system). Outlook
2002 is installed on all three. I am going to replace one of these
systems and it will come with Outlook 2003 on it. I do not plan to
upgrade my other two systems.

So, my question is this. My PST file will be regularly read and
written to by Outlook 2002 on one day, then Outlook 2003 the next day,
and then back to Outlook 2002 the following day (and so on). This
will produce far more "stress" on their compabilitity than the
occasional transfer. Has anyone done this and, if so, is it prone to
failures?

Thank you!

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Outlook 2003 can read and write to the old format just fine. Just keep your
PST in that format. Outlook 2003 will not change the format unless you do
something inadvisable, like exporting it.
BTW, importing and exporting is a poor choice for transferring Outlook PST
data. Always just open the file. Never import and export, for this and other
reasons.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

You should be fine since Outlook 2003 can read/write the legacy format w/ no
issues.