Can't Open Right Personal Folder - Help!

[Ray19]

My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains all my e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders listed and the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with Windows XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package. It was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \ Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst, Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft (1) folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst : Outlook(1) folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my Outlook e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \ Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is under the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose my e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no information as to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you create so
many PST files?

 

[Ray19]

Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing information and now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even more. I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to direct Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders stacked on top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of Outlook Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts, Deleted Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information. These are the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now if any of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst files I will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray19

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no information as to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you create so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains all my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders listed and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with Windows XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package. It was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst, Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft (1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst : Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open each of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you do not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing information and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even more. I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders stacked on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts, Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information. These are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now if any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst files I will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray19

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no information as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you create so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains all my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders listed and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with Windows XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package. It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst, Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft (1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst : Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Ray19]

Thanks again Russ for your timely reply. I'm about to follow your
instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I have one other question for
you - I tried to use Windows XP System Restore Feature to restore my Outlook
to a time that I know the program was operating correctly (before I fouled it
up with my blundering around). However, my Outlook program remained exactly
in the same sorry state I described. So, I guess the restore program doesn't
work for Outlook. Right? I'll use your answer as a reference for any future
operations.Thanks for all your help Russ. Best wishes for continued success
in all your endeavors.
--
Ray19

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open each of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you do not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing information and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even more. I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders stacked on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts, Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information. These are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now if any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst files I will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray19

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no information as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you create so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains all my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders listed and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with Windows XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package. It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst, Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft (1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst : Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

I always avoid System Restore. It is a terribly blunt tool and certainly
won't repair any damage done to a data file. Your best bet is simply to
create a new Outlook profile from scratch so you won't have to deal with all
these outdated and possibly corrupt connections to data files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks again Russ for your timely reply. I'm about to follow your
instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I have one other question
for
you - I tried to use Windows XP System Restore Feature to restore my
Outlook
to a time that I know the program was operating correctly (before I fouled
it
up with my blundering around). However, my Outlook program remained
exactly
in the same sorry state I described. So, I guess the restore program
doesn't
work for Outlook. Right? I'll use your answer as a reference for any
future
operations.Thanks for all your help Russ. Best wishes for continued
success
in all your endeavors.
--
Ray19

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open each of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you do
not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing information
and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even more.
I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders stacked
on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts, Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and
outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information. These
are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now if
any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst files I
will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray19


:

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no information
as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you create
so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains all
my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders listed
and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with Windows
XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package. It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst, Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft
(1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst :
Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my
Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is
under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose
my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Ray19]

Thanks agaih for your input Russ,
I used your previous suggestion about opening the various .pst files I have
created and found one that opened and restored my Outlook folders. However,
the only file that wasn't restored was my Sent file which is O.K. All the
rest are there intact. But, when I send an e-mail now it is sent in the Sent
folder of one of the exisitng Personal Folders still listed above my major
Personal Folder with all my Info. To furthur confuse the situation when I
receive an e-mail it is received in one of the Personal Folders listed above
my major Personal Folder with all my info.

I should add that my majpr .pst Personal Folderis located in the
C:\OutlookTemp folder that I created to save my .pst files before I started
fooling around with them.

So, is it possible that my Outlook program is now opened from the
C:\OutlookTemp file and that whenever transactions are performed the program
looks to place them in the first normal Outlook Personal Folder it can find
in the normal program routing of Outlook - which would not be C:\OutlookTemp?

If so, can I correct by following your instructions and identify the
Personal Folders that are not needed; then Use Windows Explorer to delete
them; then move my C:\OutlookTemp file into the string where the first
Personal Folder that I deleted resided? Or, is there another approach you
would recommend?

If I ever get this program straightened out I wil never venture there again!

Thanks for all the help you have provided Russ.

Ray19

I always avoid System Restore. It is a terribly blunt tool and certainly
won't repair any damage done to a data file. Your best bet is simply to
create a new Outlook profile from scratch so you won't have to deal with all
these outdated and possibly corrupt connections to data files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks again Russ for your timely reply. I'm about to follow your
instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I have one other question
for
you - I tried to use Windows XP System Restore Feature to restore my
Outlook
to a time that I know the program was operating correctly (before I fouled
it
up with my blundering around). However, my Outlook program remained
exactly
in the same sorry state I described. So, I guess the restore program
doesn't
work for Outlook. Right? I'll use your answer as a reference for any
future
operations.Thanks for all your help Russ. Best wishes for continued
success
in all your endeavors.
--
Ray19

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open each of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you do
not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing information
and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even more.
I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders stacked
on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts, Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and
outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information. These
are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now if
any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst files I
will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray19


:

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no information
as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you create
so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains all
my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders listed
and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with Windows
XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package. It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst, Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft
(1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst :
Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my
Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is
under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to lose
my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Nothing further to add. How a PST file would end up in a Temp folder defies
all logic.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks agaih for your input Russ,
I used your previous suggestion about opening the various .pst files I
have
created and found one that opened and restored my Outlook folders.
However,
the only file that wasn't restored was my Sent file which is O.K. All the
rest are there intact. But, when I send an e-mail now it is sent in the
Sent
folder of one of the exisitng Personal Folders still listed above my major
Personal Folder with all my Info. To furthur confuse the situation when I
receive an e-mail it is received in one of the Personal Folders listed
above
my major Personal Folder with all my info.

I should add that my majpr .pst Personal Folderis located in the
C:\OutlookTemp folder that I created to save my .pst files before I
started
fooling around with them.

So, is it possible that my Outlook program is now opened from the
C:\OutlookTemp file and that whenever transactions are performed the
program
looks to place them in the first normal Outlook Personal Folder it can
find
in the normal program routing of Outlook - which would not be
C:\OutlookTemp?

If so, can I correct by following your instructions and identify the
Personal Folders that are not needed; then Use Windows Explorer to delete
them; then move my C:\OutlookTemp file into the string where the first
Personal Folder that I deleted resided? Or, is there another approach you
would recommend?

If I ever get this program straightened out I wil never venture there
again!

Thanks for all the help you have provided Russ.

Ray19

I always avoid System Restore. It is a terribly blunt tool and certainly
won't repair any damage done to a data file. Your best bet is simply to
create a new Outlook profile from scratch so you won't have to deal with
all
these outdated and possibly corrupt connections to data files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks again Russ for your timely reply. I'm about to follow your
instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I have one other
question
for
you - I tried to use Windows XP System Restore Feature to restore my
Outlook
to a time that I know the program was operating correctly (before I
fouled
it
up with my blundering around). However, my Outlook program remained
exactly
in the same sorry state I described. So, I guess the restore program
doesn't
work for Outlook. Right? I'll use your answer as a reference for any
future
operations.Thanks for all your help Russ. Best wishes for continued
success
in all your endeavors.
--
Ray19


:

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open each
of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you do
not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing information
and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even
more.
I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders
stacked
on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook
Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts,
Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and
outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information. These
are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now if
any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst files
I
will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray19


:

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no
information
as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you
create
so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains
all
my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders
listed
and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with
Windows
XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package.
It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst,
Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft
(1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst :
Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my
Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding
my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft
Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is
under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to
lose
my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Ray19]

Russ,
I created the OutlookTemp folder and saved my .pst files to it before moving
and changing things around. Using all your information I have now deleted all
the different Personal Folders I mistakenly created and Outlook was opening
which explained the stack up of personal folders in my folder listing. So.
now I have my one and only (correct) Personal Folder.pst file with all my
correct information -- except my address Book!
I have placed my .pst file in the following default location C:\Documents
and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Personal Folder1.pst where it now resides along with
the following files -- extend.dat, outlook.bak, and outlook.log all of which
I assume I need?
I'm going to start another inquiry regarding the address book problem I'm
now left with since this one is becoming a little (Lot?) confusing. Hopefully
, you will pick it up see "Moving Address Book from one Personal Folder.pst
file to another".
Ray19

Nothing further to add. How a PST file would end up in a Temp folder defies
all logic.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks agaih for your input Russ,
I used your previous suggestion about opening the various .pst files I
have
created and found one that opened and restored my Outlook folders.
However,
the only file that wasn't restored was my Sent file which is O.K. All the
rest are there intact. But, when I send an e-mail now it is sent in the
Sent
folder of one of the exisitng Personal Folders still listed above my major
Personal Folder with all my Info. To furthur confuse the situation when I
receive an e-mail it is received in one of the Personal Folders listed
above
my major Personal Folder with all my info.

I should add that my majpr .pst Personal Folderis located in the
C:\OutlookTemp folder that I created to save my .pst files before I
started
fooling around with them.

So, is it possible that my Outlook program is now opened from the
C:\OutlookTemp file and that whenever transactions are performed the
program
looks to place them in the first normal Outlook Personal Folder it can
find
in the normal program routing of Outlook - which would not be
C:\OutlookTemp?

If so, can I correct by following your instructions and identify the
Personal Folders that are not needed; then Use Windows Explorer to delete
them; then move my C:\OutlookTemp file into the string where the first
Personal Folder that I deleted resided? Or, is there another approach you
would recommend?

If I ever get this program straightened out I wil never venture there
again!

Thanks for all the help you have provided Russ.

Ray19

I always avoid System Restore. It is a terribly blunt tool and certainly
won't repair any damage done to a data file. Your best bet is simply to
create a new Outlook profile from scratch so you won't have to deal with
all
these outdated and possibly corrupt connections to data files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks again Russ for your timely reply. I'm about to follow your
instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I have one other
question
for
you - I tried to use Windows XP System Restore Feature to restore my
Outlook
to a time that I know the program was operating correctly (before I
fouled
it
up with my blundering around). However, my Outlook program remained
exactly
in the same sorry state I described. So, I guess the restore program
doesn't
work for Outlook. Right? I'll use your answer as a reference for any
future
operations.Thanks for all your help Russ. Best wishes for continued
success
in all your endeavors.
--
Ray19


:

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open each
of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you do
not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing information
and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even
more.
I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders
stacked
on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook
Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts,
Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and
outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information. These
are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now if
any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst files
I
will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray19


:

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no
information
as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you
create
so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that contains
all
my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders
listed
and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with
Windows
XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office package.
It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings \
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst,
Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. : Microsoft
(1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst :
Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my
Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and compounding
my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft
Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe is
under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to
lose
my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

It is a simple matter to configure your Outlook Address Book to use your
current PST file. Posts abound that tell you how to do that. So do KB
articles. Here's one:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;287563&Product=ol2002

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,
I created the OutlookTemp folder and saved my .pst files to it before
moving
and changing things around. Using all your information I have now deleted
all
the different Personal Folders I mistakenly created and Outlook was
opening
which explained the stack up of personal folders in my folder listing. So.
now I have my one and only (correct) Personal Folder.pst file with all my
correct information -- except my address Book!
I have placed my .pst file in the following default location C:\Documents
and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Personal Folder1.pst where it now resides along
with
the following files -- extend.dat, outlook.bak, and outlook.log all of
which
I assume I need?
I'm going to start another inquiry regarding the address book problem I'm
now left with since this one is becoming a little (Lot?) confusing.
Hopefully
, you will pick it up see "Moving Address Book from one Personal
Folder.pst
file to another".
Ray19

Nothing further to add. How a PST file would end up in a Temp folder
defies
all logic.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks agaih for your input Russ,
I used your previous suggestion about opening the various .pst files I
have
created and found one that opened and restored my Outlook folders.
However,
the only file that wasn't restored was my Sent file which is O.K. All
the
rest are there intact. But, when I send an e-mail now it is sent in
the
Sent
folder of one of the exisitng Personal Folders still listed above my
major
Personal Folder with all my Info. To furthur confuse the situation when
I
receive an e-mail it is received in one of the Personal Folders listed
above
my major Personal Folder with all my info.

I should add that my majpr .pst Personal Folderis located in the
C:\OutlookTemp folder that I created to save my .pst files before I
started
fooling around with them.

So, is it possible that my Outlook program is now opened from the
C:\OutlookTemp file and that whenever transactions are performed the
program
looks to place them in the first normal Outlook Personal Folder it can
find
in the normal program routing of Outlook - which would not be
C:\OutlookTemp?

If so, can I correct by following your instructions and identify the
Personal Folders that are not needed; then Use Windows Explorer to
delete
them; then move my C:\OutlookTemp file into the string where the first
Personal Folder that I deleted resided? Or, is there another approach
you
would recommend?

If I ever get this program straightened out I wil never venture there
again!

Thanks for all the help you have provided Russ.

Ray19


:

I always avoid System Restore. It is a terribly blunt tool and
certainly
won't repair any damage done to a data file. Your best bet is simply
to
create a new Outlook profile from scratch so you won't have to deal
with
all
these outdated and possibly corrupt connections to data files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks again Russ for your timely reply. I'm about to follow your
instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I have one other
question
for
you - I tried to use Windows XP System Restore Feature to restore my
Outlook
to a time that I know the program was operating correctly (before I
fouled
it
up with my blundering around). However, my Outlook program remained
exactly
in the same sorry state I described. So, I guess the restore program
doesn't
work for Outlook. Right? I'll use your answer as a reference for any
future
operations.Thanks for all your help Russ. Best wishes for continued
success
in all your endeavors.
--
Ray19


:

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open
each
of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you
do
not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing
information
and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even
more.
I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to
direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders
stacked
on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of
Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook
Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts,
Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and
outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information.
These
are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now
if
any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this
without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst
files
I
will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help
provided.
Ray19


:

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no
information
as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you
create
so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that
contains
all
my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders
listed
and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with
Windows
XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office
package.
It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings
\
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst,
Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. :
Microsoft
(1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst :
Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my
Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and
compounding
my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft
Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe
is
under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to
lose
my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19

 

[Ray19]

Russ,
Thanks for all your help. I followed your instructions (uisng article
referenced) in your last reply and and now have my original address book. I
only have one other problem that is driving me to distraction. Please see my
post of today with the subject of "Disappering Downloaded Messages". I
suspect this is a result of all my file manipulations. If you can help me
solve this problem I will NEVER venture into the Outlook program again except
as a User Only!
Thanks, once again, Russ for all your time and help. It's much appreciated.
--
Ray19

It is a simple matter to configure your Outlook Address Book to use your
current PST file. Posts abound that tell you how to do that. So do KB
articles. Here's one:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;287563&Product=ol2002

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,
I created the OutlookTemp folder and saved my .pst files to it before
moving
and changing things around. Using all your information I have now deleted
all
the different Personal Folders I mistakenly created and Outlook was
opening
which explained the stack up of personal folders in my folder listing. So.
now I have my one and only (correct) Personal Folder.pst file with all my
correct information -- except my address Book!
I have placed my .pst file in the following default location C:\Documents
and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Personal Folder1.pst where it now resides along
with
the following files -- extend.dat, outlook.bak, and outlook.log all of
which
I assume I need?
I'm going to start another inquiry regarding the address book problem I'm
now left with since this one is becoming a little (Lot?) confusing.
Hopefully
, you will pick it up see "Moving Address Book from one Personal
Folder.pst
file to another".
Ray19

Nothing further to add. How a PST file would end up in a Temp folder
defies
all logic.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks agaih for your input Russ,
I used your previous suggestion about opening the various .pst files I
have
created and found one that opened and restored my Outlook folders.
However,
the only file that wasn't restored was my Sent file which is O.K. All
the
rest are there intact. But, when I send an e-mail now it is sent in
the
Sent
folder of one of the exisitng Personal Folders still listed above my
major
Personal Folder with all my Info. To furthur confuse the situation when
I
receive an e-mail it is received in one of the Personal Folders listed
above
my major Personal Folder with all my info.

I should add that my majpr .pst Personal Folderis located in the
C:\OutlookTemp folder that I created to save my .pst files before I
started
fooling around with them.

So, is it possible that my Outlook program is now opened from the
C:\OutlookTemp file and that whenever transactions are performed the
program
looks to place them in the first normal Outlook Personal Folder it can
find
in the normal program routing of Outlook - which would not be
C:\OutlookTemp?

If so, can I correct by following your instructions and identify the
Personal Folders that are not needed; then Use Windows Explorer to
delete
them; then move my C:\OutlookTemp file into the string where the first
Personal Folder that I deleted resided? Or, is there another approach
you
would recommend?

If I ever get this program straightened out I wil never venture there
again!

Thanks for all the help you have provided Russ.

Ray19


:

I always avoid System Restore. It is a terribly blunt tool and
certainly
won't repair any damage done to a data file. Your best bet is simply
to
create a new Outlook profile from scratch so you won't have to deal
with
all
these outdated and possibly corrupt connections to data files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks again Russ for your timely reply. I'm about to follow your
instructions. I'll let you know how things go. I have one other
question
for
you - I tried to use Windows XP System Restore Feature to restore my
Outlook
to a time that I know the program was operating correctly (before I
fouled
it
up with my blundering around). However, my Outlook program remained
exactly
in the same sorry state I described. So, I guess the restore program
doesn't
work for Outlook. Right? I'll use your answer as a reference for any
future
operations.Thanks for all your help Russ. Best wishes for continued
success
in all your endeavors.
--
Ray19


:

All you need to do is use File > Open > Outlook Data File to open
each
of
these files and see what each contains. Take note of which ones you
do
not
need, then delete them in Windows Explorer after you exit Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks for your reply Russ,
I mistakenly created some files trying to locate missing
information
and
now
am afraid to delete any of them for fear I'll mess things up even
more.
I
don't think Outlook can't open the files I just can't seem to
direct
Outlook
to them because of all the other files I have mistakenly created.

Presently when I open Outlook I get five (5) Personal Folders
stacked
on
top
of each other in my Folders List and a folder below these of
Outlook
Today -
{Personal Folder}. Below the Bottom Personal Folders and Outlook
Today
Folders are listed standard subfolders of Calendar, Contacts,
Deleted
Files,
Drafts, Inbox, etc. They are all empty.

I am trying to get Outlook to open the files outlook1.pst and
outlook2.pst
which are the files that contain all of my e-mail information.
These
are
the
only files containing my e-mail information. However, I don't now
if
any
of
the other files are needed for Outlook to operate correctly?

If you can lead me through the necessary process to do this
without
destroying any of the information contained in these two .pst
files
I
will
forever be in your debt. Thanks, in advance, for any help
provided.
Ray19


:

Explain why Outlook can't open the folder. You provided no
information
as
to
what you are trying and what happens when you try. Why did you
create
so
many PST files?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
My Outlook Program won't open the Personal Folder that
contains
all
my
e-mail
information. For some reason I have several personal folders
listed
and
the
one that Outlook opens is a generic one. I am operating with
Windows
XP
Professional and Outlook 2002 which is part of my Office
package.
It
was
operating correctly earlier today but not now.
In location C:\ Documents & Settings \ Ray19 \ Local Settings
\
Application
Data \ Microsoft \ Outlook \ here I have the following folder
Microsoft(1)
and the following files -- extend.dat, Outlook1.pst,
Outlook2.pst,
Outlook.bak, Outlook.log and Personal Folder(1).pst. :
Microsoft
(1)
folder
contains a folder Outlook(1) and the file Outlook1.pst :
Outlook(1)
folder
contains the file Outlook1.pst and this file contains all my
Outlook
e-mail
files I believe.
Can anyone help me straighten this mess out? Oh, and
compounding
my
confusion is that in location C:\ Program Files \ Microsoft
Office \
Office
10 \ 1033 are some more Outlook files and the file OUTLOOK.exe
is
under
the
Office 10 location?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to
lose
my
e-mail
files and their history/
Thanks, in advance, for any help provided.
Ray 19