Repair OUTLOOK.PST (not scanpst.exe)

[JCR]

Details:
Outlook XP
Not Using Exchange

I'm dealing with what seems to be a corrupted OUTLOOK.PST
file. It was recovered off the disk from a deleted user
account.

In most Outlook XP files I've inspected with a hex editor,
the first four bytes are the same, namely

21 42 44 4E !BDN

The bad PST file is missing these "header" bytes
completely. Outside of the obvious message from Outlook
stating the PST file is corrupt, I'm not completely certain
the file really is corrupt -it may using the default
encryption.

Does anyone know of tools other than scanpst.exe for
repairing outlook.pst files?

Does anyone know of documnetation of the PST file format?

Is there any easy way to find out if the default encryption
(password protection) has been used on a PST file?

Thanks,
JCR

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

The only tool available for repairing the .pst file is scanpst.exe.

The file format is proprietary so there is no documentation on it for public
discussion.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After searching google.groups.com and finding no answer, JCR asked:

| Details:
| Outlook XP
| Not Using Exchange
|
| I'm dealing with what seems to be a corrupted OUTLOOK.PST
| file. It was recovered off the disk from a deleted user
| account.
|
| In most Outlook XP files I've inspected with a hex editor,
| the first four bytes are the same, namely
|
| 21 42 44 4E !BDN
|
| The bad PST file is missing these "header" bytes
| completely. Outside of the obvious message from Outlook
| stating the PST file is corrupt, I'm not completely certain
| the file really is corrupt -it may using the default
| encryption.
|
| Does anyone know of tools other than scanpst.exe for
| repairing outlook.pst files?
|
| Does anyone know of documnetation of the PST file format?
|
| Is there any easy way to find out if the default encryption
| (password protection) has been used on a PST file?
|
| Thanks,
| JCR

 

[JCR]

Wow, I got an answer from something posing to be a human
being but obviously, it would fail even the most simple
Turning Test.

I don't care if it's a "Microsoft Approved" (TM)(C)
(PatentPending) answer. All I need is documentation on the
PST file format, so I can repair the file manually with a
hex editor or build a utility to do it correctly, since the
supposed "repair" utility provided by Microsoft (scanpst.
exe) is yet another piece of grabage that doesn't work.

JCR

 

[Guest]

You can offer your feedback and suggestions directly to Microsoft here
http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/suggestions.aspx?Sitename=1&CTT=6&Origin=HP03089625103

 

[Joe]

Ontrack EasyRecovery Email Repair (www.ontrack.com)
It's not free but it has never failed.
Regards