Using Outlook on laptop and desktop computer

[Ben Fidge]

I've got a small home network consisting of a Win2k Server, XP desktop pc
and a laptop. I want to be able to use Outlook from either my desktop pc or
my laptop, depending on where I am in the house.

Currently, Outlook on my desktop pc connects to my btopenworld account and
retrieves and stores my emails. Can I get my laptop's Outlook to use the
same data file as the desktop pc, or do I need something like Exchange?

Ultimately, I'd like to put the outlook datafile on my server and have both
the laptop and desktop access that, nut I can't get it working.

Any help greatfully received.

Ben

 

[Brian Tillman]

Ultimately, I'd like to put the outlook datafile on my server and
have both the laptop and desktop access that, nut I can't get it
working.

What doesn't work? It certainly works for me. Create a network share on
the desktop and move your PST to it. Start Outlook and when it complains,
browse to the new location of your PST, select it, and click OK. That takes
care of the desktop. Close Outlook.

On the laptop, map a network drive to the share. Rename the laptop's PST
and start Outlook. When it complains, browse to the network share, select
the PST, and click OK. All done.

Remember two things: this arrangement is not supported and some people have
experienced corruption of the PST (although I haven't and I've been using
this for a year now). Also, only one instance of Outlook can access the PST
at any one time. If the laptop is to be used, the desktop can't have
Outlook running, and vice versa.

Or, you can use one of the suggestions here:
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/sync.htm