Can't Open Outlook Data File

[Coop]

I am running Windows XP and MS Office Outlook 2003. I can't open the Outlook
Office Data File to access my PST files. I want to relocate the PST files to
the My Documents folder, but when I try to open the data file I receive the
error message "The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you
are using." I've tried everything, can someone help?

Thanks.

 

[DL]

With Outlook closed, locate the pst , its a hidden location, move to
wherever, open outlook, it will complain, point it to the pst at the new
location

 

[Coop]

Thanks. I've located the pst and it's in the Outlook Office Data file and
that's the file that I can't open (with or without Outlook closed).

 

[DL]

You dont open the data file, you move the pst file to a new location.

a.. Make sure you include hidden and system files and folders when searching
for a pst-file
a.. By default it is located in;
C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\
For Windows Vista the default is;
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\
a.. You can also locate the file by using;
Right click the root folder (probably Outlook Today)-> Properties-> button
Advanced-> field Filename
a.. If you have multiple pst-files you can get an overview via;
File-> Data File Management

 

[Coop]

This is the issue: I've located the pst files--including hidden files using
the methods below. They are located "inside" of a data file that I can't
open. The pst files are not visible, as they are located inside the data
file. I can't move the pst files, because I can't view them. From what I
know, the pst files should be stand alone files located via the path below
that I should have visibility to. For some reason, the pst files are housed
inside of a data file that I can't open. None of the other methods allow me
to view the pst files either.

 

[DL]

You are looking in the wrong place, or trying to move the complete folder
They are not located inside a data folder, but within a normal windows
folder, as per the path given below

What is the actual path & name of this data folder that you see?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

This is the issue: I've located the pst files--including hidden files using
the methods below. They are located "inside" of a data file that I can't
open. The pst files are not visible, as they are located inside the data
file. I can't move the pst files, because I can't view them. From what I
know, the pst files should be stand alone files located via the path below
that I should have visibility to.

The "Outlook Data File" IS a PST. You'd see that if you enable viewing the
file types of known files. There is only ONE PST usually and all your Outlook
folders are contained in that one PST. Move that Outlook Data file to where
you want it to be (using Windows Explorer) and then open Outlook. Outlook
will complain and give you a browser window. Browse to the Outlook Data File
you moved, select it, and click OK. Outlook will open normally after that.

 

[Coop]

I followed your advice and I sucessfully moved the pst file. I thought I
needed to "open" the data file to locate the pst file--I did not realize that
the data file is indeed the pst file. All I wanted to do was move the pst
file to the My Documents folder so it will be included in my nightly back up.
Thank you for your help.