.pst files

[Guest]

How do I import .pst files from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2000? I get a dialog
box telling me it's not compatible--contact my administrator.
I was using a trial version of Office 2003 with my new computer, but decided
to go back to Office 2000 before I got too used to it. Now I can't
import the .pst files from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2000.
HELP!!

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You are out of luck. You should have created your files in the format that
is compatible with earlier versions while still running Outlook 2003.

 

[Gordon]

You are out of luck. You should have created your files in the format that
is compatible with earlier versions while still running Outlook 2003.

I have to say that this a very cynical ploy on the behalf of MS - having
used a trial version of Office 2003, there is NO WARNING (AFAIK) when
setting up Outlook for the first time that the new-style pst format is not
compatible with prior versions....

 

[Ben M. Schorr - MVP]

Aloha Gordon,

I suppose there probably isn't any such warning, but let's not be too quick
to ascribe sinister motives. The trial version is merely a limited version
of the full package and the guys who wrote the full package probably didn't
think it was necessary to account for the tiny percentage of people who would
revert to an older version and need to use .PST files created with the newer
version.

I'm sure it's more oversight than anything else. Can you get access to a
machine with Outlook 2003 on it, at least long enough to export your data
into an old-format PST?

-Ben-
Ben M. Schorr - MVP
Roland Schorr & Tower
http://www.rolandschorr.com
Microsoft OneNote FAQ: http://www.factplace.com/onenotefaq.htm

 

[Tom Lake]

I have to say that this a very cynical ploy on the behalf of MS - having used a
trial version of Office 2003, there is NO WARNING (AFAIK) when setting up Outlook
for the first time that the new-style pst format is not compatible with prior
versions....

NEVER assume downward compatibility. New software has new features
that simply can't be duplicated in the older programs. The file formats take
advantage of these new features. You shouldn't need a warning to follow
standard operating procedures and back up everything before trying a new
program. Then you could at least recover all your data up to the time you
installed the trial.

Tom Lake

 

[Gordon]

NEVER assume downward compatibility. New software has new features
that simply can't be duplicated in the older programs. The file formats
take
advantage of these new features. You shouldn't need a warning to follow
standard operating procedures and back up everything before trying a new
program. Then you could at least recover all your data up to the time you
installed the trial.

Tom Lake

Hmm - more cynicism....something as important as email should be downward
compatible. I can open an Excel 2003 workbook in Excel 95 - OK so some
formatting and macros (if any) may not function but the raw DATA will still
be there.....and accessible.

 

[Gordon]

Aloha Gordon,


I'm sure it's more oversight than anything else. Can you get access to a
machine with Outlook 2003 on it, at least long enough to export your data
into an old-format PST?

Thanks for the tip - I use a full version of Office 2003....

 

[Ben M. Schorr - MVP]

Aloha Gordon,

Ah, well then the solution is simplicity itself.

-Ben-
Ben M. Schorr - MVP
Roland Schorr & Tower
http://www.rolandschorr.com
Microsoft OneNote FAQ: http://www.factplace.com/onenotefaq.htm

 

[Brian Tillman]

How do I import .pst files from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2000? I get
a dialog box telling me it's not compatible--contact my administrator.
I was using a trial version of Office 2003 with my new computer, but
decided to go back to Office 2000 before I got too used to it.
Now I can't import the .pst files from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2000.

Download and install a new copy of the trial version and then use it to
create an Outlook 2000-compatible PST as has been described in this group
numerous times.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

When you go to File > New > Outlook Data File, you will see the choice
there. Unfortunately, when you try to export a PST file you are not given a
choice of which type to create nor a warning that the file you are creating
is incompatible with earlier versions. This is one of many reasons we
recommend against exporting PST files.