Restoring Archive Inbox Mailboxes Outllook 2003

[Mike]

Hi,

After switching computers I need to restore my archived mailboxes. When I
open my archived database (archive.pst) using the 'File', 'Open', 'Outlook
Data File' sequence, both my inbox and sent box folders are missing. My
archived Tasks and Notes are there, but not my mail.

I've spent hours on this and am at wits end....any help would be apprecaited.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[dlw]

how did you archive them to begin with? Is this the first time you've tried
to open them? Outlook autoarchive OVERWRITES archive files when it makes
them, so there may be nothing there. How big is the pst file? That will
give you an indication of what is actually in it.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Outlook autoarchive OVERWRITES archive files when it makes them
Not true, if there is already an archive.pst file and you enable the
AutoArchive feature it will archive to archive1.pst. You can of course
configure it to use archive.pst gain. Also in this case it will NOT
overwrite it but append it.

 

[Mike]

Hi,

I use 'AutoArchive' to archive my outlook.pst file into my archive.pst file
based on a date criteria. I then backup My Documents and Settings (including
both files) using Arconis True Image to a backup drive. I also have a backup
to an external USB drive in native format (straight copy - not compressed or
modified into an archive formated file by any backup program).

For this restore, and with Office shut down, I pulled the archive.pst off my
external backup drive and copied it into C:/Documents and Settings/my
name/Local Settings/Application/Outlook folder. I then started Outlook and
used Outlook 'File', 'Open', 'Outlook Data File' command sequence to open the
archive.pst file in Outlook. When it opens, it excludes all my mailboxes
from the folder view.

The file size as backed up is 1.8GB. When I open the file in Outlook the
file size does not change. The path and file name are correct when I check
the archive.pst properties.

That's the situation as I see it so far :-(

What a drag!

Thanks for trying to help...

Mike

 

[Roady [MVP]]

1.8GB? Is this an ANSI formatted pst-file or an UNICODE formatted pst-file?
In the case of ANSI; your pst-file is too big and entered the corrupted
stage.
See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296088

 

[Mike]

Well, Robert....that was it!

I really appreciate your help. I went through all the steps noted in your
support link and I'm good to go.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Roady [MVP]]

You're welcome! Make sure you now start with a UNICODE pst-file though ;-)
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/115