Backing up Outlook 2000

[Alias]

I want to back up OL 2000 and also be able to transfer the back up to
another computer as well as have it handy if I never need to reinstall
XP, also running OL2000. Do I only need to copy from one computer and
paste to another what I find here: C:\Documents and
Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\?

Thanks,

Alias

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Yup, make a copy of the pst-file.
For additional info see
http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

 

[K. Orland]

http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

 

[Alias]

Yup, make a copy of the pst-file.
For additional info see
http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

That page is confusing. If I merely copy what's in there and paste it to
the other machine or, if I reinstall, paste it to the original machine,
will OL 2000 be restored and have all the messages, address book, etc.
that I had before?

Sorry if I'm being a bit dense about this.

Alias

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Copying the pst-file creates the backup. To see the contents of any pst-file
you can use File-> Open-> Personal Data File... on the machine you've copied
it to. Make sure you don't make any changes to it or it won't constitute as
a backup anymore.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


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[Alias]

Copying the pst-file creates the backup. To see the contents of any
pst-file you can use File-> Open-> Personal Data File... on the machine
you've copied it to. Make sure you don't make any changes to it or it
won't constitute as a backup anymore.

I see two files in there. One is called "extend" and the other is called
"outlook" and is a square shape icon with the puzzle type Office logo on
it. Is the latter the .pst file? Do I also need to copy the "extend" file?

Thanks again,

Alias

 

[Roady [MVP]]

The one called Outlook is the pst-file. When you enable details in the view
it wil have the Personal Folders in the description.

The extend.dat file is just the add-in registry cache and there is no need
to back-up that file.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----

 

[Alias]

The one called Outlook is the pst-file. When you enable details in the
view it wil have the Personal Folders in the description.

The extend.dat file is just the add-in registry cache and there is no
need to back-up that file.

Thank you. I assume what I wrote about copying it and pasting it in the
same place on another computer will render the Outlook on the other
computer the same as the original, right? I want to keep Outlook on two
computers in sync as well as knowing how to restore Outlook if I have to
reinstall.

Alias

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Copying over pst-files is asking for mail profile corruption. The correct
method is to use File-> Open-> Personal Data File... In your account
settings you can set it as your default delivery location if you please.

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----

 

[Alias]

Copying over pst-files is asking for mail profile corruption. The
correct method is to use File-> Open-> Personal Data File... In your
account settings you can set it as your default delivery location if you
please.

Thank you, now it's clear.

Alias

 

[Roady [MVP]]

You're welcome!

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----

 

[Alias]

You're welcome!

Another question: when I go to back up, say to an external hard drive,
should I copy the .pst file and just put it there? If so, when I have
done this before and want to do it again, daily, should the new back up
be allowed to overwrite the old one?

Thanks again.

Alias

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Yup, just copy is enough. Depending on how many backups you want to keep you
can overwrite it or make an additional file. Usually I put my daily backups
in different folders (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc...)

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003


-----

 

[Alias]

Yup, just copy is enough. Depending on how many backups you want to keep
you can overwrite it or make an additional file. Usually I put my daily
backups in different folders (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc...)

Good idea

Alias

 

[Alias]

Yup, just copy is enough. Depending on how many backups you want to keep
you can overwrite it or make an additional file. Usually I put my daily
backups in different folders (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc...)

OK, I put the .pst file on a flash drive and took it to another
computer, also running Office 2000. When I did the File/Open trip, it
restored my email messages and contacts. It did not restore my
signatures or email accounts. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Alias

 

[Brian Tillman]

OK, I put the .pst file on a flash drive and took it to another
computer, also running Office 2000. When I did the File/Open trip, it
restored my email messages and contacts. It did not restore my
signatures or email accounts. What am I missing?

Signatures and mail account information aren't kept in the PST. The former
are in %AppData%\Microsoft\Signatures and the latter are in the Windows
Registry.

 

[Alias]

Signatures and mail account information aren't kept in the PST. The
former are in %AppData%\Microsoft\Signatures and the latter are in the
Windows Registry.

So, if I copy them from one computer and paste them in the same place on
the other computer, will I automatically have the signatures configured
for the other computer?

Thanks,

Alias

 

[Brian Tillman]

So, if I copy them from one computer and paste them in the same place
on the other computer, will I automatically have the signatures
configured for the other computer?

Do you mean the signatures? I don't think it will be automatic. You may
have to point Outlook at them with Tools>Options.

 

[Alias]

Do you mean the signatures? I don't think it will be automatic. You
may have to point Outlook at them with Tools>Options.

I was afraid of that but thanks.

Alias