Double files/address book?

[Stephen Porter]

Hi,

I recently have had to set up Outlook on a new machine and
ran into the following problems. Here's the procedure I
used:

I made a backup copy of the Outlook.pst file and had that
ready.

Installed new Outlook (2003) on new computer.

Put the backup .PST file in another folder--I always keep
my Outlook file in a folder under "My Documents" for easy
backup.

Renamed the *new* Outlook.pst file "Outlook.psx" to force
Outlook to ask for a new file location.

Opened Outlook and browsed to the backup file; opened
Outlook and everything was there EXCEPT the address book.
Said there wasn't any address book associated with contact
file.

From there on I kind of lost track of what I did, but I
WAS able to get Outlook to recognize the Contacts as an
address book but navigating to the correct dialog and
choosing THE SECOND OF TWO "CONTACTS" folder in the list
box.

I (obviously) got kind of lost on this and wonder why
there are two "Contacts" in the list box?

I hope this isn't entirely unclear and someone can
recognize what I need help with.

TIA.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Ick. That's a sure recipe for trouble. Renaming PST's or overwriting them is
a bad idea. Your profile will be corrupt forever.
There is only one correct way to transfer a PST file and make it the default
for a new installation. Start over with a new profile and do it correctly:
- Go to Tools > Options > Mail Setup > Data Files > Add...
- Add the PST you'd like as your new default, then Close > OK to exit the
Options dialog
- Go to Tools > E-mail Accounts > View or change existing e-mail accounts
- Select the PST you just added in the "Deliver New e-mail to the following
location" dropdown (it will most likely appear just below the current
default Personal Folders file) > Finish
- Exit and Restart Outlook
- You can now close the previous default PST (R-click on that pst folder
while in Folder View and select "Close <foldername> Folders"). If you have
any information in your former PST that you'd like to transfer to your new
default PST, you can drag and drop from one to the other before you close
the old one.

 

[Jeannine]

This may be just what I'm looking for. But could you go through the
procedures in Outlook 2000. Thanks, Jeannine

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Sure.
Which mail support mode? (line 2 of Help | About if you're not sure).

 

[Jeannine]

I just installed outlook 2000 on an XP machine as "Internet Mail Only."
Maybe I should have installed the Corporate/Workgroup version. But, for
now, the answer is IMO.
Thanks, Jeannine

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Internet Mail Only mode:
- File menu > Open > Personal Folders file > migrate to the new PST file
location to open it
- Right-click on the root of the new set of folders in the folder pane (View

Folder List)

- Choose Properties
- Check the "Deliver POP mail" box
- Quit & restart Outlook
- Now you can Close the PST file that you were previously using (R-click on
that pst folder while in Folder View and select "Close <foldername>
Folders"). If you have any information in your former PST that you'd like to
transfer to your new default PST, you can drag and drop from one to the
other before you close the old one.

 

[Jeannine]

Russ, you are sooooooo verrrrrrry wonderful. It worked perfectly. I'm
pretty sure now that my boss won't fire me. Thanks a million.
Jeannine

 

[Stephen Porter]

Hi Russ,

Well, I'm chagrined ;-), but point well taken. I've
always used this simple method in the past with no ill
effects, but I guess I've been lucky or just working in
such a simple environment that the bad consequences don't
really matter.

A couple of follow-up points... For people who need to
transport their .PST file from one computer to another--
desktop to travel notebook, for example AND who are not
too computer literate, is there any other easier way than
starting with a new profile, setting that up and then
closing the "old" one?

Best regards,
Stephen Porter

Ick. That's a sure recipe for trouble. Renaming PST's or overwriting them is
a bad idea. Your profile will be corrupt forever.
There is only one correct way to transfer a PST file and make it the default
for a new installation. Start over with a new profile and do it correctly:
- Go to Tools > Options > Mail Setup > Data Files > Add...
- Add the PST you'd like as your new default, then Close > OK to exit the
Options dialog
- Go to Tools > E-mail Accounts > View or change existing e-mail accounts
- Select the PST you just added in the "Deliver New e-mail to the following
location" dropdown (it will most likely appear just below the current
default Personal Folders file) > Finish
- Exit and Restart Outlook
- You can now close the previous default PST (R-click on that pst folder
while in Folder View and select "Close <foldername> Folders"). If you have
any information in your former PST that you'd like to transfer to your new
default PST, you can drag and drop from one to the other before you close
the old one.

--

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Not one that is supported. But you can move or rename the PST Outlook is
using with Outlook closed, then the next time you launch Outlook it will
complain that it can't find its PST file, and you can direct it to the other
one. It works most of the time, but you will corrupt or lose some settings.