Sigh, recovering backups

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gary Fritz
  • Start date Start date
G

Gary Fritz

I apologize for asking a FAQ, but I've looked through old posts, I've
looked in the Microsoft KB, I've looked on the web, I've checked several
MVP sites, and I'm still not getting an answer that works.

I use Outlook 2002. I use only the calendar, task, and contacts tools.

My hard drive just died. I bought a new drive and reinstalled Windows 2000
Pro. I dug through the backups I had made and found the Outlook.pst files
under Documents and Settings.

I tried copying the files into my new disk in the appropriate locations,
and I tried importing the files as described in the MS KB and elsewhere.
In both cases the results are not great. I seem to have a bunch of
recurring appointments -- appointments that expired months or years ago,
but now continue on forever. Almost none of my non-recurring appointments
are in there. None of my Task items from the last year+ are there. My
wife uses Contacts more than I do, but I only have old Contacts.

Also, the Outlook Shortcuts only contain Outlook Today and Deleted Items.

Is there a better way to recover the backed-up data?
Gary
 
Rather than try to overwrite the .pst file created when installing a new
installation of Office/Outlook, simply copy the .pst file to a location that
you back up frequently, such as My Documents. When you next open Outlook,
use File->Open->Outlook Data File and browse to the location (My Documents)
where you saved the .pst file and open it.

Never import a .pst file and never overwrite your .pst file. You may have
corrupted your profile. Best way to recover is to create a new mail profile
(control panel->mail icon->profiles->new) and configure it to use your .pst
file in My Documents.


--
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, Gary Fritz asked:

| I apologize for asking a FAQ, but I've looked through old posts, I've
| looked in the Microsoft KB, I've looked on the web, I've checked
| several MVP sites, and I'm still not getting an answer that works.
|
| I use Outlook 2002. I use only the calendar, task, and contacts
| tools.
|
| My hard drive just died. I bought a new drive and reinstalled
| Windows 2000 Pro. I dug through the backups I had made and found the
| Outlook.pst files under Documents and Settings.
|
| I tried copying the files into my new disk in the appropriate
| locations, and I tried importing the files as described in the MS KB
| and elsewhere. In both cases the results are not great. I seem to
| have a bunch of recurring appointments -- appointments that expired
| months or years ago, but now continue on forever. Almost none of my
| non-recurring appointments are in there. None of my Task items from
| the last year+ are there. My wife uses Contacts more than I do, but
| I only have old Contacts.
|
| Also, the Outlook Shortcuts only contain Outlook Today and Deleted
| Items.
|
| Is there a better way to recover the backed-up data?
| Gary
 
Rather than try to overwrite the .pst file created when installing a
new installation of Office/Outlook, simply copy the .pst file to a
location that you back up frequently, such as My Documents.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I follow. Copy the .pst file from my old backup and then
File->Open->etc that old backup?
Never import a .pst file and never overwrite your .pst file. You may
have corrupted your profile. Best way to recover is to create a new
mail profile (control panel->mail icon->profiles->new) and configure
it to use your .pst file in My Documents.
Click to expand...

Where is the control panel? I don't see that in Outlook. And do I need a
*mail* profile, since I don't use mail?

Can I just delete all the files in the Outlook directory and let Outlook
start fresh?

Gary
 
I would still like to be able to recover my backup. I deleted the .pst
file I had (which was basically hosed) and let it start fresh, and
recreated many of my calendar items. But I would like to recover the task
list. And I would like to understand what it REALLY takes to back up
Outlook calendar & tasks, since the things I've found in the MSKB and
elsewhere don't seem to be working for me. Help??
 
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