Backing up PST in Outlook 2003

[hedera]

I'm running Outlook 2003 on a Win XP Pro SP3 system. I regularly back up my
PST to an archive folder which I then back up separately (this is because
I've moved "My Documents" to a root level folder, not in the Documents and
Settings folder. This is actually working well, but I have a question:

Why does the Outlook process not stop until I have shut the program down
twice consecutively?

I use the backup utility on the Outlook File menu and tell it to back up the
PST on exit. It can't back up the PST while OUTLOOK.EXE is running, of
course. But 9 times out of 10, when I do File > Exit from the Outlook menu,
the backup doesn't run. I check Task Manager, and OUTLOOK.EXE is still up.
I have told the program to exit; I have closed the Reminders window; my cell
phone/PDA is not connected to the computer; but Outlook is still up. The
only reliable way to shut it down is to bring it up again, and then
immediately do File > Exit again. At that point, after about 5-6 seconds,
the OUTLOOK.EXE process closes and the backup begins.

I don't need an answer to this to function, but the question is driving me
nuts. Why won't it close when I tell it the first time? It's acting like a
5 year old.

 

[K. Orland]

Something is holding Outlook open. Do you use Synch software for a handheld
perhaps? FAX software?

If you open Outlook in safe mode, when you shut it down does it shut down
the first time?

Start > Run > outlook.exe /safe

 

[hedera]

Hmm. I use ActiveSync for my Windows Mobile smartphone. It sits in my
system tray in what I thought was an inactive state - the symbol is white,
whereas it's green when the program is active. Could that be what's holding
it open? Also, while I don't have any fax software installed per se, I do
have an HP Photosmart C7280 all-in-one printer on my network, and that
printer does do faxes, and there is an HP program running in memory, looks
like some kind of scheduler although I don't schedule anything.

I tried your safe mode command for Outlook.exe and yes, when I told it to
exit, it shut down the first time.

If it really is ActiveSync which is causing this, I probably just have to
live with it, since there's no way that I can see from the system tray pop-up
to remove the program from memory. Thanks very much for the advice.
--
hedera

Nature bats last.

Something is holding Outlook open. Do you use Synch software for a handheld
perhaps? FAX software?

If you open Outlook in safe mode, when you shut it down does it shut down
the first time?

Start > Run > outlook.exe /safe

 

[K. Orland]

Before shutting down Outlook, try removing your smartphone from the cradle
or synching it and unplugging it first.

Hmm. I use ActiveSync for my Windows Mobile smartphone. It sits in my
system tray in what I thought was an inactive state - the symbol is white,
whereas it's green when the program is active. Could that be what's holding
it open? Also, while I don't have any fax software installed per se, I do
have an HP Photosmart C7280 all-in-one printer on my network, and that
printer does do faxes, and there is an HP program running in memory, looks
like some kind of scheduler although I don't schedule anything.

I tried your safe mode command for Outlook.exe and yes, when I told it to
exit, it shut down the first time.

If it really is ActiveSync which is causing this, I probably just have to
live with it, since there's no way that I can see from the system tray pop-up
to remove the program from memory. Thanks very much for the advice.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

it can tack a couple of minutes for it to completely shut down - especially
if you had a device connected. Depending on the type of handheld device, the
sync software may take longer to release.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

disconnect the device from the computer a few min before closing outlook
then wait about 2 min more and see if it is closed.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Hmm. I use ActiveSync for my Windows Mobile smartphone. It sits in my
system tray in what I thought was an inactive state - the symbol is white,
whereas it's green when the program is active. Could that be what's
holding
it open? Also, while I don't have any fax software installed per se, I do
have an HP Photosmart C7280 all-in-one printer on my network, and that
printer does do faxes, and there is an HP program running in memory, looks
like some kind of scheduler although I don't schedule anything.

I tried your safe mode command for Outlook.exe and yes, when I told it to
exit, it shut down the first time.

If it really is ActiveSync which is causing this, I probably just have to
live with it, since there's no way that I can see from the system tray
pop-up
to remove the program from memory. Thanks very much for the advice.

 

[hedera]

In general, I don't have a device connected. I realize that could be a
problem. But I only synch my PDA 2-3 times a week, and I shut my PC down
nightly; so most days the PDA hasn't been plugged in, but I still have the
problem with Outlook not shutting down.

From what you say I may not have been waiting long enough, I didn't realize
it could take a couple of minutes. Maybe I just need to be more patient; I
usually do this just before shutting down for the night, and it needs more
time than I've given it.
--
hedera

Nature bats last.

it can tack a couple of minutes for it to completely shut down - especially
if you had a device connected. Depending on the type of handheld device, the
sync software may take longer to release.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Yeah, if the device isn't connected at all during a session, it shouldn't be
a problem especially if it uses active sync.

Outlook normally closes completely within about 20 seconds (if not sooner)
but it can also take longer, especially if something else is accessing
outlook data. You can open task manager and look at the processes tab for it
to disappear.

Have you looked in tools, options, other, advanced, addins to see what you
have installed?

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

In general, I don't have a device connected. I realize that could be a
problem. But I only synch my PDA 2-3 times a week, and I shut my PC down
nightly; so most days the PDA hasn't been plugged in, but I still have the
problem with Outlook not shutting down.

From what you say I may not have been waiting long enough, I didn't
realize
it could take a couple of minutes. Maybe I just need to be more patient;
I
usually do this just before shutting down for the night, and it needs more
time than I've given it.
--
hedera

Nature bats last.

it can tack a couple of minutes for it to completely shut down -
especially
if you had a device connected. Depending on the type of handheld device,
the
sync software may take longer to release.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

I'm running Outlook 2003 on a Win XP Pro SP3 system. I regularly back
up
my
PST to an archive folder which I then back up separately (this is
because
I've moved "My Documents" to a root level folder, not in the Documents
and
Settings folder. This is actually working well, but I have a question:

Why does the Outlook process not stop until I have shut the program
down
twice consecutively?

I use the backup utility on the Outlook File menu and tell it to back
up
the
PST on exit. It can't back up the PST while OUTLOOK.EXE is running, of
course. But 9 times out of 10, when I do File > Exit from the Outlook
menu,
the backup doesn't run. I check Task Manager, and OUTLOOK.EXE is still
up.
I have told the program to exit; I have closed the Reminders window; my
cell
phone/PDA is not connected to the computer; but Outlook is still up.
The
only reliable way to shut it down is to bring it up again, and then
immediately do File > Exit again. At that point, after about 5-6
seconds,
the OUTLOOK.EXE process closes and the backup begins.

I don't need an answer to this to function, but the question is driving
me
nuts. Why won't it close when I tell it the first time? It's acting
like
a
5 year old.

 

[hedera]

I hadn't looked. However, I just did, and I have 3 lines with checked boxes:

Exchange Extensions property pages
Windows CE Support
Fax Server Extension

I have no clue why that last one is there. Maybe I'll uncheck it and see if
this goes away. I don't use Outlook to send faxes; if anything, I use Word.

--
hedera

Nature bats last.

Yeah, if the device isn't connected at all during a session, it shouldn't be
a problem especially if it uses active sync.

Outlook normally closes completely within about 20 seconds (if not sooner)
but it can also take longer, especially if something else is accessing
outlook data. You can open task manager and look at the processes tab for it
to disappear.

Have you looked in tools, options, other, advanced, addins to see what you
have installed?

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

In general, I don't have a device connected. I realize that could be a
problem. But I only synch my PDA 2-3 times a week, and I shut my PC down
nightly; so most days the PDA hasn't been plugged in, but I still have the
problem with Outlook not shutting down.

From what you say I may not have been waiting long enough, I didn't
realize
it could take a couple of minutes. Maybe I just need to be more patient;
I
usually do this just before shutting down for the night, and it needs more
time than I've given it.
--
hedera

Nature bats last.

it can tack a couple of minutes for it to completely shut down -
especially
if you had a device connected. Depending on the type of handheld device,
the
sync software may take longer to release.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

I'm running Outlook 2003 on a Win XP Pro SP3 system. I regularly back
up
my
PST to an archive folder which I then back up separately (this is
because
I've moved "My Documents" to a root level folder, not in the Documents
and
Settings folder. This is actually working well, but I have a question:

Why does the Outlook process not stop until I have shut the program
down
twice consecutively?

I use the backup utility on the Outlook File menu and tell it to back
up
the
PST on exit. It can't back up the PST while OUTLOOK.EXE is running, of
course. But 9 times out of 10, when I do File > Exit from the Outlook
menu,
the backup doesn't run. I check Task Manager, and OUTLOOK.EXE is still
up.
I have told the program to exit; I have closed the Reminders window; my
cell
phone/PDA is not connected to the computer; but Outlook is still up.
The
only reliable way to shut it down is to bring it up again, and then
immediately do File > Exit again. At that point, after about 5-6
seconds,
the OUTLOOK.EXE process closes and the backup begins.

I don't need an answer to this to function, but the question is driving
me
nuts. Why won't it close when I tell it the first time? It's acting
like
a
5 year old.

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Word sends faxes through outlook unless you have a different fax program
installed.
if you don't use Exchange server email account you can uncheck that too, but
it usually doesn't keep outlook open.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

I hadn't looked. However, I just did, and I have 3 lines with checked
boxes:

Exchange Extensions property pages
Windows CE Support
Fax Server Extension

I have no clue why that last one is there. Maybe I'll uncheck it and see
if
this goes away. I don't use Outlook to send faxes; if anything, I use
Word.

--
hedera

Nature bats last.

Yeah, if the device isn't connected at all during a session, it shouldn't
be
a problem especially if it uses active sync.

Outlook normally closes completely within about 20 seconds (if not
sooner)
but it can also take longer, especially if something else is accessing
outlook data. You can open task manager and look at the processes tab for
it
to disappear.

Have you looked in tools, options, other, advanced, addins to see what
you
have installed?

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

In general, I don't have a device connected. I realize that could be a
problem. But I only synch my PDA 2-3 times a week, and I shut my PC
down
nightly; so most days the PDA hasn't been plugged in, but I still have
the
problem with Outlook not shutting down.

From what you say I may not have been waiting long enough, I didn't
realize
it could take a couple of minutes. Maybe I just need to be more
patient;
I
usually do this just before shutting down for the night, and it needs
more
time than I've given it.
--
hedera

Nature bats last.


:

it can tack a couple of minutes for it to completely shut down -
especially
if you had a device connected. Depending on the type of handheld
device,
the
sync software may take longer to release.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

I'm running Outlook 2003 on a Win XP Pro SP3 system. I regularly
back
up
my
PST to an archive folder which I then back up separately (this is
because
I've moved "My Documents" to a root level folder, not in the
Documents
and
Settings folder. This is actually working well, but I have a
question:

Why does the Outlook process not stop until I have shut the program
down
twice consecutively?

I use the backup utility on the Outlook File menu and tell it to
back
up
the
PST on exit. It can't back up the PST while OUTLOOK.EXE is running,
of
course. But 9 times out of 10, when I do File > Exit from the
Outlook
menu,
the backup doesn't run. I check Task Manager, and OUTLOOK.EXE is
still
up.
I have told the program to exit; I have closed the Reminders window;
my
cell
phone/PDA is not connected to the computer; but Outlook is still up.
The
only reliable way to shut it down is to bring it up again, and then
immediately do File > Exit again. At that point, after about 5-6
seconds,
the OUTLOOK.EXE process closes and the backup begins.

I don't need an answer to this to function, but the question is
driving
me
nuts. Why won't it close when I tell it the first time? It's
acting
like
a
5 year old.

 

[hedera]

I think that was it. I unchecked the Fax server option and the next time I
shut down Outlook, it came right down. Thanks so much! It's these little
unanswered questions that drive me crazy. I should probably uncheck
Exchange, too - can't imagine why it thought I had an Exchange server.
--
hedera

Nature bats last.

Word sends faxes through outlook unless you have a different fax program
installed.
if you don't use Exchange server email account you can uncheck that too, but
it usually doesn't keep outlook open.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

I hadn't looked. However, I just did, and I have 3 lines with checked
boxes:

Exchange Extensions property pages
Windows CE Support
Fax Server Extension

I have no clue why that last one is there. Maybe I'll uncheck it and see
if
this goes away. I don't use Outlook to send faxes; if anything, I use
Word.

--
hedera

Nature bats last.

Yeah, if the device isn't connected at all during a session, it shouldn't
be
a problem especially if it uses active sync.

Outlook normally closes completely within about 20 seconds (if not
sooner)
but it can also take longer, especially if something else is accessing
outlook data. You can open task manager and look at the processes tab for
it
to disappear.

Have you looked in tools, options, other, advanced, addins to see what
you
have installed?

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

In general, I don't have a device connected. I realize that could be a
problem. But I only synch my PDA 2-3 times a week, and I shut my PC
down
nightly; so most days the PDA hasn't been plugged in, but I still have
the
problem with Outlook not shutting down.

From what you say I may not have been waiting long enough, I didn't
realize
it could take a couple of minutes. Maybe I just need to be more
patient;
I
usually do this just before shutting down for the night, and it needs
more
time than I've given it.
--
hedera

Nature bats last.


:

it can tack a couple of minutes for it to completely shut down -
especially
if you had a device connected. Depending on the type of handheld
device,
the
sync software may take longer to release.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

I'm running Outlook 2003 on a Win XP Pro SP3 system. I regularly
back
up
my
PST to an archive folder which I then back up separately (this is
because
I've moved "My Documents" to a root level folder, not in the
Documents
and
Settings folder. This is actually working well, but I have a
question:

Why does the Outlook process not stop until I have shut the program
down
twice consecutively?

I use the backup utility on the Outlook File menu and tell it to
back
up
the
PST on exit. It can't back up the PST while OUTLOOK.EXE is running,
of
course. But 9 times out of 10, when I do File > Exit from the
Outlook
menu,
the backup doesn't run. I check Task Manager, and OUTLOOK.EXE is
still
up.
I have told the program to exit; I have closed the Reminders window;
my
cell
phone/PDA is not connected to the computer; but Outlook is still up.
The
only reliable way to shut it down is to bring it up again, and then
immediately do File > Exit again. At that point, after about 5-6
seconds,
the OUTLOOK.EXE process closes and the backup begins.

I don't need an answer to this to function, but the question is
driving
me
nuts. Why won't it close when I tell it the first time? It's
acting
like
a
5 year old.