Outlook 2003 PST import problem <new>

[Jordan]

I have been backing up my .PST from Outlook 2003 at my
office to a CD for sometime now so I have tried this on
multiple 'export to a PST' pst files using compressable
encryption and one with no encryption. My office uses
Exchange 2000 and the clients are all Outlook 2003 in
cached mode.

I copy the file from the CD and I change the read-only
attribute and confirm it is off. When I try to import
into my PST files that I exported from the office, I get
a message that says, "The file in (local location) is not
a personal folders file". I get the same message whether
I try to import it, set it as the archive location, try
to use it as a new data file, etc... I have been
searching the web for a while and although I have found
others with the same problem, there has been no solution
posted to any of them. I thought that was what the
export to PST function was for. I have had to import
other PSTs at the office for other users and never
experienced this. It does not seem to provide the same
message as compatibility problems do. Trying to use
scanpst to repair it also results in the identical
message. The file size is less than 700Meg.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jordan

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Why are you importing and exporting?
PST is Outlook's native format. You have no need to change file formats.
Just copy and open these files.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I was exporting because I had thought that the export to
PST function was for the purpose of moving a PST from an
Outlook client to another Outlook client. It seems that
that may not be the purpose (which will be a huge loss
for me)? What was the purpose of the export to .pst?

It is, but you can lose information, like time stamps, in the export/import
process. It's most useful, in my opinion, for importing items *other than*
email, like calendar, contact, or task items. However, there's nothing
export/import can do that copy/open can't and plenty that it can't do that
the latter can.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Have you tried repairing the file using the Inbox Repair Tool?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

I was exporting because I had thought that the export to
PST function was for the purpose of moving a PST from an
Outlook client to another Outlook client. It seems that
that may not be the purpose (which will be a huge loss
for me)? What was the purpose of the export to .pst?

I used the Outlook 2003 file, import / export, export to
a file, export to .pst. It created a 678Meg file. In
the past (with older versions of outlook), I was able to
use the import / export, import file, import .pst to get
the data back. I was surprised to find that this time it
is telling me the file is not a personal folders file.
It is being associated properly (has the office logo next
to it). I ensured that I own the file and that that read-
only is turned off.

I have made many exports to .pst over the past few years,
some with compressible encryption on, some with no
compressible encryption, but all files get the same
message. I tried reinstalling Outlook XP (2002) and get
the same result. I do understand now that the best way
to backup Outlook is to simply copy the .pst, but I still
need to get my data back in before I can begin to do that
into the future. I did try using the File, Open data
file and that gives the same message. I tried to use the
repair tool and for testing, even the 2gig barrier fix,
all give the same exact message, 'this is not a personal
folders file'. I also even tried to import it into
access and excel, with no luck.

I am getting the terrible feeling that when you export to
a .pst, it is really a useless function and cannot be re-
imported into anything (it scares me just to type that).
Now that our offices are defunct, there is no way for me
to get a fresh file.

Is there any way I can get my data from an 'export
to .pst' file?

Thanks again,

Jordan

-----Original Message-----
Why are you importing and exporting?
PST is Outlook's native format. You have no need to change file formats.
Just copy and open these files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I have been backing up my .PST from Outlook 2003 at my
office to a CD for sometime now so I have tried this on
multiple 'export to a PST' pst files using compressable
encryption and one with no encryption. My office uses
Exchange 2000 and the clients are all Outlook 2003 in
cached mode.

I copy the file from the CD and I change the read-only
attribute and confirm it is off. When I try to import
into my PST files that I exported from the office, I get
a message that says, "The file in (local location) is not
a personal folders file". I get the same message whether
I try to import it, set it as the archive location, try
to use it as a new data file, etc... I have been
searching the web for a while and although I have found
others with the same problem, there has been no solution
posted to any of them. I thought that was what the
export to PST function was for. I have had to import
other PSTs at the office for other users and never
experienced this. It does not seem to provide the same
message as compatibility problems do. Trying to use
scanpst to repair it also results in the identical
message. The file size is less than 700Meg.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jordan

.

 

[Jordan]

Yep, tried scanpst and the 2gig barrier fixer (which
although the file is not that large, it does perform an
integrity check). It pops up the same message as Outlook.

Oh well,

Jordan

-----Original Message-----
Have you tried repairing the file using the Inbox Repair Tool?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

I was exporting because I had thought that the export to
PST function was for the purpose of moving a PST from an
Outlook client to another Outlook client. It seems that
that may not be the purpose (which will be a huge loss
for me)? What was the purpose of the export to .pst?

I used the Outlook 2003 file, import / export, export to
a file, export to .pst. It created a 678Meg file. In
the past (with older versions of outlook), I was able to
use the import / export, import file, import .pst to get
the data back. I was surprised to find that this time it
is telling me the file is not a personal folders file.
It is being associated properly (has the office logo next
to it). I ensured that I own the file and that that read-
only is turned off.

I have made many exports to .pst over the past few years,
some with compressible encryption on, some with no
compressible encryption, but all files get the same
message. I tried reinstalling Outlook XP (2002) and get
the same result. I do understand now that the best way
to backup Outlook is to simply copy the .pst, but I still
need to get my data back in before I can begin to do that
into the future. I did try using the File, Open data
file and that gives the same message. I tried to use the
repair tool and for testing, even the 2gig barrier fix,
all give the same exact message, 'this is not a personal
folders file'. I also even tried to import it into
access and excel, with no luck.

I am getting the terrible feeling that when you export to
a .pst, it is really a useless function and cannot be re-
imported into anything (it scares me just to type that).
Now that our offices are defunct, there is no way for me
to get a fresh file.

Is there any way I can get my data from an 'export
to .pst' file?

Thanks again,

Jordan

-----Original Message-----
Why are you importing and exporting?
PST is Outlook's native format. You have no need to change file formats.
Just copy and open these files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I have been backing up my .PST from Outlook 2003 at my
office to a CD for sometime now so I have tried this on
multiple 'export to a PST' pst files using compressable
encryption and one with no encryption. My office uses
Exchange 2000 and the clients are all Outlook 2003 in
cached mode.

I copy the file from the CD and I change the read- only
attribute and confirm it is off. When I try to import
into my PST files that I exported from the office, I get
a message that says, "The file in (local location)

is
not

a personal folders file". I get the same message whether
I try to import it, set it as the archive location, try
to use it as a new data file, etc... I have been
searching the web for a while and although I have found
others with the same problem, there has been no solution
posted to any of them. I thought that was what the
export to PST function was for. I have had to import
other PSTs at the office for other users and never
experienced this. It does not seem to provide the same
message as compatibility problems do. Trying to use
scanpst to repair it also results in the identical
message. The file size is less than 700Meg.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jordan


.

.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Ouch. I guess you can add this to the reasons not to export.
There's another utility you can try:
http://officerecovery.com/outlook/index.htm

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, tried scanpst and the 2gig barrier fixer (which
although the file is not that large, it does perform an
integrity check). It pops up the same message as Outlook.

Oh well,

Jordan

-----Original Message-----
Have you tried repairing the file using the Inbox Repair Tool?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

I was exporting because I had thought that the export to
PST function was for the purpose of moving a PST from an
Outlook client to another Outlook client. It seems that
that may not be the purpose (which will be a huge loss
for me)? What was the purpose of the export to .pst?

I used the Outlook 2003 file, import / export, export to
a file, export to .pst. It created a 678Meg file. In
the past (with older versions of outlook), I was able to
use the import / export, import file, import .pst to get
the data back. I was surprised to find that this time it
is telling me the file is not a personal folders file.
It is being associated properly (has the office logo next
to it). I ensured that I own the file and that that read-
only is turned off.

I have made many exports to .pst over the past few years,
some with compressible encryption on, some with no
compressible encryption, but all files get the same
message. I tried reinstalling Outlook XP (2002) and get
the same result. I do understand now that the best way
to backup Outlook is to simply copy the .pst, but I still
need to get my data back in before I can begin to do that
into the future. I did try using the File, Open data
file and that gives the same message. I tried to use the
repair tool and for testing, even the 2gig barrier fix,
all give the same exact message, 'this is not a personal
folders file'. I also even tried to import it into
access and excel, with no luck.

I am getting the terrible feeling that when you export to
a .pst, it is really a useless function and cannot be re-
imported into anything (it scares me just to type that).
Now that our offices are defunct, there is no way for me
to get a fresh file.

Is there any way I can get my data from an 'export
to .pst' file?

Thanks again,

Jordan


-----Original Message-----
Why are you importing and exporting?
PST is Outlook's native format. You have no need to
change file formats.
Just copy and open these files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I have been backing up my .PST from Outlook 2003 at my
office to a CD for sometime now so I have tried this on
multiple 'export to a PST' pst files using compressable
encryption and one with no encryption. My office uses
Exchange 2000 and the clients are all Outlook 2003 in
cached mode.

I copy the file from the CD and I change the read- only
attribute and confirm it is off. When I try to import
into my PST files that I exported from the office, I
get
a message that says, "The file in (local location) is
not
a personal folders file". I get the same message
whether
I try to import it, set it as the archive location, try
to use it as a new data file, etc... I have been
searching the web for a while and although I have found
others with the same problem, there has been no
solution
posted to any of them. I thought that was what the
export to PST function was for. I have had to import
other PSTs at the office for other users and never
experienced this. It does not seem to provide the same
message as compatibility problems do. Trying to use
scanpst to repair it also results in the identical
message. The file size is less than 700Meg.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jordan


.

.

 

[Guest]

I have this exactly problem, I am despaired. Reading the messages of this
forum I lowered some tools, I go to test but he would like to be able to
receive greaters information from as to solve this. Debtor, I wait return

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" escreveu:

Ouch. I guess you can add this to the reasons not to export.
There's another utility you can try:
http://officerecovery.com/outlook/index.htm

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Yep, tried scanpst and the 2gig barrier fixer (which
although the file is not that large, it does perform an
integrity check). It pops up the same message as Outlook.

Oh well,

Jordan