Rules Seem to Stop Working

[pestocat]

I use Rules in Outlook 2003 SP2, to move messages into folders depending on
sender and address to information. It seems lately that some of the rules
fail to do requested task. If the problem lasts more that a couple days I
create a new rule to complete the task. Any ideas what may be causing this.
Could my file be getting too large. Properties show > 2 GB, but still show
this after I deleted 1000's of messages.
Thank you

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

If your .pst file is almost 2 gigs and it is the older (ansi) format, you need to do some serious maintenance right now. Compact your .pst file after emptying your deleted items folder, remove attachments and archive mail you no longer need instant access to.

To compact your .pst file, right click on Outlook Today and select properties, then advanced. You may need to compact several times (usually 2-3 works fine).

If your .pst file is the new unicode format (File->Data File Management - see what your .pst file format is), then report back for additional assistance.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, pestocat asked:

| I use Rules in Outlook 2003 SP2, to move messages into folders
| depending on sender and address to information. It seems lately that
| some of the rules fail to do requested task. If the problem lasts
| more that a couple days I create a new rule to complete the task. Any
| ideas what may be causing this. Could my file be getting too large.
| Properties show > 2 GB, but still show this after I deleted 1000's of
| messages.
| Thank you

 

[pestocat]

Thank you for the reply. What do you mean with "Outlook Today", I assume
this is the Outlook.pst file. My *.pst file size is 2.54 GB and the on disk
size is 1.44GB. It seems to me that I probably should start all over with a
new account *.pst file. I tried the Compress tool, but that does not seem to
do much.



If your .pst file is almost 2 gigs and it is the older (ansi) format, you
need to do some serious maintenance right now. Compact your .pst file after
emptying your deleted items folder, remove attachments and archive mail you
no longer need instant access to.

To compact your .pst file, right click on Outlook Today and select
properties, then advanced. You may need to compact several times (usually
2-3 works fine).

If your .pst file is the new unicode format (File->Data File Management -
see what your .pst file format is), then report back for additional
assistance.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, pestocat asked:

| I use Rules in Outlook 2003 SP2, to move messages into folders
| depending on sender and address to information. It seems lately that
| some of the rules fail to do requested task. If the problem lasts
| more that a couple days I create a new rule to complete the task. Any
| ideas what may be causing this. Could my file be getting too large.
| Properties show > 2 GB, but still show this after I deleted 1000's of
| messages.
| Thank you

 

[Diane Poremsky]

do they become unchecked or actions removed in rule & alerts? A common
reason for rules failing is the folder is not accessible - usually happens
when the pst is stored on a server, not locally.

 

[pestocat]

The *.pst file is stored locally. Is the file size >2.5 GB a problem.
Messages are deleted but size does not seem to change.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

No necessarily. If the pst was created in Outlook 2003, it support 20 GB
size. Normally, assuming you empties the deleted items folder, once the
'white space' reaches 20%, outlook will compress the file when its not busy.
You can do it manually at any time: right click on the top level of the
folder list and choose properties. Click the advanced button and compact the
pst.