Files -- reinstall Outlook, backup and restore files

[MegaMangler]

I would like to be sure I understand how the file system works in Outlook2003.

I have 2 HTTP mail services -- Hotmail and MSN using Outlook connector.
When I have made extensive edits to the INBOX by moving, deleting msgs,
there appears to be more syncing required than can be accomplished by
connector so it bogs down or just goes into error -- no longer updating the
inbox in outlook 2003. One tech support person told me to just set up the
hotmail account again. That has some merit as it will reconnect and download
what is presentlly in the hotmail system. Yet, I then have 2 hotmail inboxes
and related file folder sets. My plan is to backup all the files and then
delete and reinstall outlook. Everything is then an archive that I can bring
back in under another folder and the MSN and Hotmail accts will sync up
again, possibly improving performance. i notice that nothing slows my
machine down like outlook. So I hope this willl help. The only caution I am
taking is to slow down and be sure I understand how the file system works.

is it correct that I can create another folder and drag all my existing
emails to it. this new PST file will then be all I have to bring back,
import into the new install?

Thanks,
MM

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I have 2 HTTP mail services -- Hotmail and MSN using Outlook connector.
When I have made extensive edits to the INBOX by moving, deleting msgs,
there appears to be more syncing required than can be accomplished by
connector so it bogs down or just goes into error -- no longer updating
the
inbox in outlook 2003. One tech support person told me to just set up the
hotmail account again. That has some merit as it will reconnect and
download
what is presentlly in the hotmail system. Yet, I then have 2 hotmail
inboxes
and related file folder sets.

Delete the old Hotmail account first, stop and restart Outlook, then re-add
the account.

My plan is to backup all the files and then
delete and reinstall outlook.

Reinstalling Outlook will have no effect on this. The data is in the mail
profile in the registry. A reinstall won't touch that.

Everything is then an archive that I can bring
back in under another folder and the MSN and Hotmail accts will sync up
again, possibly improving performance.

It may improve performance. I'm not convinced that saving the old PSTs will
have any worth but it can't hurt to have them.

is it correct that I can create another folder and drag all my existing
emails to it. this new PST file will then be all I have to bring back,
import into the new install?

The messages are on the server. There's no real need to save them. You
woun't import anyway. If you have calendar and contact data that is not on
the MSN server, that's in a separate PST that you shouldn't have to touch.
At worst, you'd have to add it to a new mail profile.