Briefcase setup for Outlook 2003

[Gareth]

I am trying to setup a synchronisation relationship between my desktop (main
PC) and laptop using Briefcase. I have looked at previous correspondence on
this site, but none quite relate to my queries. I did notice, however, a
recommendation for the following article:

http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/olshare2.htm

In following its advice I have two problems. The author uses the path:

File | Open Special Folders or File | Open | Personal Folders to open the
folder(s) from the Briefcase .pst file in your Outlook profile.

In Outlook 2003 I do not have this path, but I do have:

File/Open/Outlook Data File

This does lead me to the required pst file in the briefcase. When I opt for
this, and follow the rest of the article, I seem to create a second Personal
Folder on my laptop Outlook. One is the original laptop Outlook
(out-of-date) and the revised Outlook that matches my Desktop Outlook. I
cannot delete the original laptop Outlook. It is confusing having two
Personal Folders

How do I overwrite the old Outlook rather than create a second Personal
Folders on my laptop?

 

[Brian Tillman]

I am trying to setup a synchronisation relationship between my
desktop (main PC) and laptop using Briefcase. I have looked at
previous correspondence on this site, but none quite relate to my
queries. I did notice, however, a recommendation for the following
article:

http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/olshare2.htm

In following its advice I have two problems. The author uses the
path:

File | Open Special Folders or File | Open | Personal Folders to open
the folder(s) from the Briefcase .pst file in your Outlook profile.

In Outlook 2003 I do not have this path, but I do have:

File/Open/Outlook Data File

This does lead me to the required pst file in the briefcase. When I
opt for this, and follow the rest of the article, I seem to create a
second Personal Folder on my laptop Outlook.

Of course. That's what you're telling Outlook to do when you open a PST.

One is the original
laptop Outlook (out-of-date) and the revised Outlook that matches my
Desktop Outlook. I cannot delete the original laptop Outlook. It is
confusing having two Personal Folders

You can right-click the added PST, choose Properties, then Advanced, and
change the display name from "Personal Folders" to something else, like
"Briefcase Folders", or whatever you want. You can go another step farther
and either copy the contents of the added PST's folders to your default
folders, or you can copy the PST from the Briefcase prior to opening it,
open it in the folder to which you copied it, and make it your delivery
location, which will make its folders your default folders. You can then
right-click>Close the other PST so it doesn't show.

How do I overwrite the old Outlook rather than create a second
Personal Folders on my laptop?

Overwriting is a bad idea.

 

[Gareth]

Brian

Many thnaks for getting back to me - much appreciated. I am sorry to be a
pain, but I understand your advice up to the last bit:

"or you can copy the PST from the Briefcase prior to opening it,
open it in the folder to which you copied it, and make it your delivery
location, which will make its folders your default folders. You can then
right-click>Close the other PST so it doesn't show".

I am unclear as to the step-by-step process here. Do you mean
right-clicking the Outlook file in the Briefcase and opt for Copy? I may
have misuderstood your advice on this part as I cannot see how you can then
Paste into the Personal Folder. Also how do I make it my delivery location?
Although I have 2 Personal Folders I can only close the new Personal Folder
which I created, not the original as the option to close that Personal Folder
is not available (greyed out).

I am sure I have misunderstood something here for which I apologise. Could
you eloborate? I think I am almost there!

Thanks again

Gareth

 

[Brian Tillman]

"or you can copy the PST from the Briefcase prior to opening it,
open it in the folder to which you copied it, and make it your
delivery location, which will make its folders your default folders.
You can then right-click>Close the other PST so it doesn't show".

I am unclear as to the step-by-step process here. Do you mean
right-clicking the Outlook file in the Briefcase and opt for Copy?

That will work.

I may have misuderstood your advice on this part as I cannot see how
you can then Paste into the Personal Folder.

I didn't say this. After copying the PST from the Briefcase to another
folder on your hard drive, start Outlook and click FIle>Open>Outlook Data
File. Browse tot he location where you stored the PST, select it, and click
OK. You'll then have access to all the data it contains.

Also how do I make it
my delivery location? Although I have 2 Personal Folders I can only
close the new Personal Folder which I created, not the original as
the option to close that Personal Folder is not available (greyed
out).

Tools>E-mail Accounts>Next. In the "Deliver new e-mail to the following
location" drop-down, choose the PST you're NOT currently using. Click
Finish. Stop and restart Outlook. The other PST will now be your delivery
location and you'll be able to close the first one.