Where are my Outlook messages stored (if no .pst is found)?

[Guest]

My computer "crashed" recently and after technical consultation, the only way
to fix it is to wipe the drive and reinstall everything. Fortunately, I had
most of my files backed up. I was advised that I could back up the rest by
removing my hard drive from my computer and installing in into another. I
did that and have backed up the few new files that I had created since the
last backup.

However, I also want to transfer the messages stored in Outlook. I did a
search of the hard drive (including hidden files and folders) for a *.pst
file, but the results were negative. Since I am using someone else's
computer, the additional problem is that I cannot open their Outlook to
create a *.pst file or my messages will be added to theirs (etc.). So
barring a *.pst file, since I did not modify the default location where my
messages are stored, where can I find them (i.e. file extension or folder
name)? Or will I have to copy an entire folder and its subfolders (i.e.
where the Outlook program) - if so, what should I copy?

Technical specs: My computer is running Windows ME and the Outlook version
is Outlook 2000 (the computer that I am using to transfer the files is
running WindowsXP). The only other info that may be useful is that I am the
only user on my computer, so I just use the default user profile.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

No, the pst-file is what you need. Because of the "crash" could it be whiped
already?

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
www.howto-outlook.com

Tips of the month:
-FREE tool; QuickMail. Create new Outlook items anywhere from within Windows
-Properly back-up and restore your Outlook data

-----
My computer "crashed" recently and after technical consultation, the only
way
to fix it is to wipe the drive and reinstall everything. Fortunately, I had
most of my files backed up. I was advised that I could back up the rest by
removing my hard drive from my computer and installing in into another. I
did that and have backed up the few new files that I had created since the
last backup.

However, I also want to transfer the messages stored in Outlook. I did a
search of the hard drive (including hidden files and folders) for a *.pst
file, but the results were negative. Since I am using someone else's
computer, the additional problem is that I cannot open their Outlook to
create a *.pst file or my messages will be added to theirs (etc.). So
barring a *.pst file, since I did not modify the default location where my
messages are stored, where can I find them (i.e. file extension or folder
name)? Or will I have to copy an entire folder and its subfolders (i.e.
where the Outlook program) - if so, what should I copy?

Technical specs: My computer is running Windows ME and the Outlook version
is Outlook 2000 (the computer that I am using to transfer the files is
running WindowsXP). The only other info that may be useful is that I am the
only user on my computer, so I just use the default user profile.

 

[Guest]

Somehow I don't think so - the exact description of the "crash" as provided
by the computer was that the Vmm32.vxd file is missing or corrupt as well as
the system.ini file. According to the computer tech, all the other files
should be there - the problem is that with those two files missing, the
computer cannot run Windows. That problem is solved by having my hard drive
attached to another computer, which allows me to view all the files on my
hard drive - and nothing else seems to be missing.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Ok, well just for the off-chance you were running Outlook Express instead of
Outlook search for dbx-files.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
www.howto-outlook.com

Tips of the month:
-FREE tool; QuickMail. Create new Outlook items anywhere from within Windows
-Properly back-up and restore your Outlook data

-----
Somehow I don't think so - the exact description of the "crash" as provided
by the computer was that the Vmm32.vxd file is missing or corrupt as well as
the system.ini file. According to the computer tech, all the other files
should be there - the problem is that with those two files missing, the
computer cannot run Windows. That problem is solved by having my hard drive
attached to another computer, which allows me to view all the files on my
hard drive - and nothing else seems to be missing.