Can OL2003 use a 2GB ANSI PST file that OL2002 cannot?

[Rich Roller]

A user, running Outlook 2002, has a PST (ANSI format) which is
1.92GB. It no longer functions normally in OL2002.

Gets "could not save" errors when he tries to copy messages into PST
or when he tries to create calendar item in PST. He even gets errors if
he tries to move items FROM his PST up to his Exchange mailbox!

But he CAN still open & view it in OL2002. I've asked him to try
permanently deleting or saving-off attachments but he hasn't been willing
to try that yet.

We want to upgrade him Outlook 2003 to utilize 20GB (Unicode) PST
format. So HERE'S MY QUESTION...

If OL2002 is having problems accessing the PST (see errors above)
will OL2003 be able to access this old file, to move the data from the
ANSI PST to a new Unicode PST?

I don't want to have to run the PST2GB utility to truncate his file and lose
some data. The user will absolutely scream if he hears this suggestion!

So I'd really like to move ALL his old data successfully over to OL2003 in
whatever fashion works. If linking to the old pst doesn't work, then maybe
importing or ??

Thanks!

Rich

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

No, the version of Outlook doesn't matter when you hit the size limit for ANSI .pst files.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Rich Roller]

Thanks Sue, that's what I was worried about.

So, my options then seem to be:
1. Shift-Delete on some items to get size down (likely? would Outlook
safemode help??)
2. Use PST2GB to chop some data out of the file

There are no other options that might work, e.g. OL2003 Import function?

Finally, am I right to conclude that with the errors he's getting and with
the size of 1.92GB that the problem is indeed that the PST has maxed out?
(I was puzzled when I saw that the file was under 2GB)

Thanks again! (tomorrow I have to do this work on his file)

-Rich

No, the version of Outlook doesn't matter when you hit the size limit for
ANSI .pst files.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

If it's already past the maximum, only #2 will be an option. It's easy enough to tell. If it can't be opened, it's past the max.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Rich Roller]

Actually it CAN be opened (as I said in my original post). It only gives
errors when trying to create/move an item into the PST or move an item out
of the PST.

So do we still think it's a "past maximum" issue? (Note that the file size
is about 1.9GB)

If it's already past the maximum, only #2 will be an option. It's easy
enough to tell. If it can't be opened, it's past the max.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

You have nothing to lose by trying to Shift+delete items. And you know what to do if you can't.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Rich Roller]

Resolution!

The user was at first resistant, but once he removed a significant amount of
messages/attachments from his Deleted Items, he could then use his PST
normally again and he was then able to move large chunks of data out to
another new PST.

I'm very happy that PST2GB was not necessary.

Thanks again.

-Rich

You have nothing to lose by trying to Shift+delete items. And you know what
to do if you can't.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Great. I hope your user now knows that Deleted Items is the trash can and needs to be emptied once in a while lest it start stinking.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Rich Roller]

Unfortunately this user doesn't use Outlook the way one should, he's
arrogant basically doesn't take advice.

When I discovered that his local Deleted Items folder was 1.1GB out of a
1.9GB PST I went "aha!".

Apparently he treats his Deleted items as a folder he files to. He wants to
keep his deleted msgs indefinitely. He never empties the folder wholesale.
He just deletes individual messages from it occassionally. Ugh!

-Rich

Great. I hope your user now knows that Deleted Items is the trash can and
needs to be emptied once in a while lest it start stinking.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Brian Tillman]

Unfortunately this user doesn't use Outlook the way one should, he's
arrogant basically doesn't take advice.

When I discovered that his local Deleted Items folder was 1.1GB out
of a 1.9GB PST I went "aha!".

Apparently he treats his Deleted items as a folder he files to. He
wants to keep his deleted msgs indefinitely. He never empties the
folder wholesale. He just deletes individual messages from it
occassionally. Ugh!

Unless he changes his approach, he's risking his entire PST and the software
won't be able to help him if that happens.

 

[Rich Roller]

I agree. Probably OL2003 and 20GB Unicode PST is the easiest band-aid,
given his penchant. -Rich