Where is the POP date stored? Syncing desktop and laptop

[TXBD75]

Using Outlook 2007 on both laptop and desktop and I leave my email on the
server. I don't want to buy a product to solve what should be a simple
problem of syncing my machines.

Basic syncing is pretty easy for me: I just delete the contents of the
outlook data folder on the target machine and then copy the content from the
other machine. The main file that's copied is the PST which holds email,
contacts, calendars, etc. Take just a few seconds with a .BAT file. When I
move my outlook data folder to the target machine, everything is there
(latest email, etc.).

My problem: After moving the .pst files, I click 'send/receive' on the
target machine to get new mail. I get all the new mail PLUS all older mail
that was sent since the last time the target machine went for email. i.e., I
get duplicate mail that I already have for any mail that my source machine
already downloaded.

It appears that somewhere outside of the outlook data folder, Outlook is
keeping 'date of last download' info. Even then the source pc has gotten mail
some time after the target machine last got it, the target machine downloads
everything since it's last download date, not the date of the source machines
download.

Does anyone know where this info is stored? Is it in one of the 'docs and
settings' folders? Is it in the registry? If I can move that info when I
sync, then I'm all set without needing to buy anything.

PS - Yes, if I delete my mail when I download, this problem will go away. I
just like keeping it up there when I'm away from my laptop.

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

its stored as a hidden file in the pst and is account and machine specific -
moving the pst does not allow you to use the same file on both machines.

 

[TXBD75]

Well that explains it. From your comments, that means that there is probably
a file in the PST for my laptop and another one for my desktop. Is that
correct? Also, do you know of any tools to sync these files buried in the PST?

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

yes, there are two. You can view the file using outlookspy but you can't
sync them because the machine identifiers are different for each system.

 

[TXBD75]

It's not the answer I wanted to hear, but I really appreciate the rapid and
clear response - saved me from wasting alot of time looking! The truth hurts
sometimes! 8->

Thank you very much!!!