PST file size limit: will upgrading to 2003 with current file?

[Z Man]

Trying to assist a friend who can no longer access his Outlook file. I asked
him how large the file is, and he told me 2GB. A little research has
disclosed that this is the limit for pre-2003 versions, but for Outlook
2003, the file size limit is 20GB. Question: if my friend upgrades to 2003,
will he again be able to access (and add data to) his 2GB pst file?

 

[Chuck Davis]

Trying to assist a friend who can no longer access his Outlook file. I
asked him how large the file is, and he told me 2GB. A little research has
disclosed that this is the limit for pre-2003 versions, but for Outlook
2003, the file size limit is 20GB. Question: if my friend upgrades to
2003, will he again be able to access (and add data to) his 2GB pst file?

Z Man

Tell your friend yes...

 

[DL]

NO
The default OL 2003 pst is a unicode format and as such does not have the
size limitation.
Upgrading doesnt upgrade the old format pst
The old pst has to be usable/readable
In 2003 you create a unicode pst, then open the old pst to copy stuff to the
new, before closing down the old pst.
You should use this tool http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296088
and the repair tool scanpst.exe untill the pst becomes usable first.
PS In old format users can experience probs from 1.6gb

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

That's mean. Do not post false and inaccurate information.

 

[Z Man]

NO
The default OL 2003 pst is a unicode format and as such does not have the
size limitation.
Upgrading doesnt upgrade the old format pst
The old pst has to be usable/readable
In 2003 you create a unicode pst, then open the old pst to copy stuff to
the
new, before closing down the old pst.
You should use this tool http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296088
and the repair tool scanpst.exe untill the pst becomes usable first.
PS In old format users can experience probs from 1.6gb

OK, I understand. As a temporary fix, until he can upgrade to Outlook 2003,
restore access to his current oversized file, etc., can he simply create a
new, empty pst file to use, kind of 'starting from scratch' with an empty
file? I see that if I go to File/New there is an option to create a new pst
file. Question: once he creates that file, how do you tell Outlook to use
the new file rather than the old file for all email messages? Will all email
account setting be retained?

 

[Brian Tillman]

Trying to assist a friend who can no longer access his Outlook file.
I asked him how large the file is, and he told me 2GB. A little
research has disclosed that this is the limit for pre-2003 versions,
but for Outlook 2003, the file size limit is 20GB. Question: if my
friend upgrades to 2003, will he again be able to access (and add
data to) his 2GB pst file?

Chuck is wrong. The answer is "no". Your friend will need to create a new
PST in Unicode format and copy the data in the old PST to the new one.

 

[Brian Tillman]

OK, I understand. As a temporary fix, until he can upgrade to Outlook
2003, restore access to his current oversized file, etc., can he
simply create a new, empty pst file to use, kind of 'starting from
scratch' with an empty file? I see that if I go to File/New there is
an option to create a new pst file. Question: once he creates that
file, how do you tell Outlook to use the new file rather than the old
file for all email messages? Will all email account setting be
retained?

Click Tools>E-mail Accounts>Next. At the bootom left is a drop-down labeled
"Deliver new e-mail to the following location". After adding a new PST,
change that drop-down to indicate the new PST, then stop and restart
Outlook. Adding data files does not affect accounts in any way.