Why do emails come from server multiple times

[ColinOv]

Using Outlook 2003, I copy the outlook.pst file from the desktop to my
notebook before leaving on a trip. I have the settings on the notebook, to
keep email on server for 1 day, before deleting it. When I do a
send/receive the email say 1 of 87 emails will come down and after
restarting outlook, the same 1 of 87 emails will come down time after time.
This causes duplicate or more copies within the notebook outlook mail inbox.

Where and how is the information stored to tell outlook that the email has
already been downloaded. I have tried a couple sync programs, but without
satisfactory success.

Your help is appreciated,

Colin

 

[Oliver Vukovics]

Dear Colin,

You write:

"I copy the outlook.pst file from the desktop to my
notebook before leaving on a trip."

This means, you have 2 different Outlook installations. 1 on your Desktop, 1
on your Notebook.

Both Outlook versions download the emails that you leave on the "server" =
This behavior is correct. The emails are in the PST but not the PST file
download th e.mails, Outlook download the emails.

So Outlook on the Notebook AND on the Desktop will download the emails
twice.

I have tried a couple sync programs, but without satisfactory success.

I think, no program can solve this problem as long as you copy a PST file
and download all e-mail twice and synchronize the e-mails. You must decide
what you want.

Version a.)
Copy the PST file = but do not leave the emails on the server,

Version b.)
Use a thumb drive with the stored PST file for the notebook and Desktop PC,
then you do not need to copy the PST = do not leave the emails on the
server


Version c.)
Use a synchronization tool = but do not leave the emails on the server,

Synchronization tools:
http://www.publicshareware.com/outlook-synchronisation-description.php
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/sync.htm

Office Marketplace Outlook messaging tools:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/CE010719621033.aspx

Version d.)
Use 2 different PST files on the Desktop and on the Laptop = Now you have to
leave the emails on the server

Version e.)
If you want to "share and sync" only e-mails between Desktop and Notebook,
you could also try an IMAP account.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/287574/en-us

Version f.)
You could use a 3rd party to that can share and sync the PST files between
multiple Computers without a Windows server
http://www.publicshareware.com