Outlook 2003 and XP to Outlook 2003 and Vista

[Alan]

Trying to preclude doing this all wrong, what is the best way to get
everything over from my desktop with XP sp2 and Outlook 2003 to my new
laptop that has young Vista with Outlook 2003 on it. My current
Outlook.pst file is 500 meg, as I have over 3000 contacts.

Last time I got a new computer I put the outlook.pst on a 1 gig usb
flash key and copied it into D&S/me/local/apps/ms/outlook.. It seemed
to work fine but I don't think I got all my old mail that wasn't
archived.

I did see that there is no more D&S on Vista and found the
User/Contact directories but it doesn't look like that is the place to
put the pst file, as it seems to hold each contact separately.

While I have you all, wher is the best place to put my Documents
folders and what is the best way to do it so I don't end up with a
Documents/Documents folders (and without having to copy each dir one
at a time).

Thanks so much,

Alan

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Put your data file anywhere _other_ than the default location. A place you
back up frequently would be a good choice.
After that, just follow the instructions we post here every day. 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

 

[Alan]

Russ,

Almost there.

So far so good, I opened the new Outlook.pst file and everything came
through but now there are two Persoanl Folders. The new Personal
Folder (the one with all the contacts and prior emails) is not the one
that is being pointed to for new emails. How do I kill the old one,
or the one that was first created when I setup Outlook 2003,
yesterday, on my new computer. I read all the links and particularly
the last one from office.microsoft.com. It said:


1. On the Tools menu, click E-mail Accounts.

2. Click View or change existing e-mail accounts, and then click
Next.

3. In the Deliver new e-mail to the following location list, select
where you want new messages delivered.

There was nothing that said "Deliver new e-mail to the following
location list"

Alan

 

[Alan]

One more thing, I was able to find go into Contact Properties and make
the BIG pst file clicked on Outlook Address Book, and then checked
"show this folder as an email address book" and I did the reverse in
the one set up on installation,

However, the Personal Folder that was set up on installation, in it's
icon has a clock and a house and I cannot "close" that Personal Folder
as the "Close "Personal Folders" is shaded out.

The Personal Folders with all the data brough over from the other
computer has a folder icon and on that one "Close "Personal Folders""
is NOT shaded out and that good one can be closed.

So can I get rid of the one created on installation or do I have to
drag everything into it, which I don't even see how you do with the
calendar items.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

In Outlook 2007 the path is:
Tools > Account Settings > Data Files Tab.
Set your default there. Then restart Outlook and you can close the first PST
file.

 

[Alan]

Russ,

It's not Outlook 2007 it's 2003 from XP to Vista and I didn't see a:

Tools > Account Settings > Data Files Tab.

I thought I had it but I don't.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Then the instructions for Outlook 2003 are accurate. Read them again.

 

[Alan]

Maybe there is a problem with Vista screwing things up. Thee doesn't
seem to be anything I can do to make this happen. I followed the
directions. Tools/Email Accounts/View of Change/ and then there is
only one line and it says Outlook Address Book Typme MAPI

I can either Change Add Or Remove.

I already removed one, the one I thought was the installation file.
When I click on Change it says:

To designate a Contacts folder as an Outlook Address Book, go to the
Properties Dialogue box for the Contacts folder. On the Outlook
Address Book Tab, select the "Show this folderas an Address Book"
check box. I did that for the good one and took it off for the
installation Contacts File"

underneath it says

Outlook Address Books:
Contacts: Personal Folders <==== and that is it, just one.

I have two options. First to Remove Address Book
and second to show first or last name first.

and that is it. There is no other place to designate that folder as
the one. I have gone out of Outlook and come back in again.

This is crazy. I must be missing something or Vista is doing
something wierd.

Allen

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You're overlooking something. I don't have Outlook 2003 running to verify it
but it works for everyone else. You do not need to do anything to the
Outlook Address Book but that same dialog box should also allow you to
choose the default PST file.
You can also try a different path to set the default PST file: File > Data
File Management...

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

No way does this have anything to do with Vista. I still think you're
misreading the path. You shouldn't even be getting to the Outlook Address
Book if you're using Tools > E-mail Accounts > View or change exisiting
email accounts... You're choosing the wrong option (probably view or change
existing directories or address books)...