How backup ALL before reinstall Outlook2003w/BCM

[George]

Could an MVP help out with this...it's sort of mission critical...I have
*everything* in Outlook and it's too much to lose any of the data by
treating lightly and/or making a mistake in this case, here's story...

I'm using Outlook2003w/BCM, and need to reinstall WinXP-pro, which means
I'll have to then re-install Outlook. I'm not clear on exactly how to
backup and restore everything back to the exactly the way it was.

So, first question is... is it correct that there are really two databases:
1) Personal Folders
Calendar (got lots here)
Contacts (got lots)
Inbox (got lots)
Sent Items
etc.
2) Business Contact Manager
Accts
Business Contacts (got lots)
Business History (got lots)
etc.

Next question is... Is this process as simple as doing two things:
a) File > Export > Outlook (or can I just copy the Outlook.pst file), and
b) File > Business Database > Backup.

Then later after reinstalling, just...
a) copying my Outlook.pst over the new empty one, and
b) doing File > Business Database > Restore to get back BCM?

Will I loose any links to emails, old email text in BCM history, links to
Word documents on the hard drive, or anything at all?

What about setting up the email accounts, signatures, and all that...is this
a "manual" re-do, or will it all appear, just like before.

I've already looked in MS knowledgebase, it's ok but answers seem to be
scattered across lots of articles vs. "here's the big picture" and here are
the steps.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
George

 

[SSinha]

Hi George,

I am not an MVP, but I will try to answer your queries one by one.

Q. So, first question is... is it correct that there are really two databases:
A. No, there is only one database which is associated with BCM. Outlook
stores its data in a PST file. You can see the details of your PST file by
1. File > Data File Management.
2. Select your “Personal Folders†and click on the “Settings†button. This
will give you the name and location of your PST file.

Q. Next question is... Is this process as simple as doing two things:
A. To take a backup of all your Outlook and BCM data, simply do the following:
a) Make a copy the Outlook.pst file, and
b) Use “File > Business Database > Backup†feature to take a backup of your
BCM Database. This will create an .msbcm file at the location specified by
you.
Then later after re-installing, first copy your PST file back and link it to
your Outlook profile. Then use “File > Business Database >Restore†feature to
restore your BCM data.

Q. Will I loose any links to emails, old email text in BCM history, links to
Word documents on the hard drive, or anything at all?
A. Since you have restored the same PST file and have linked it to your
profile, the links to the emails in the Business History will not get broken.
Same applies to your files in the Hard Drive. If the Files have been restored
to their original paths (with no change at all), the link will not be broken.
However, if this is not the case, you will see a reference to the file in the
Business History as a Business Activity Form, but not get the original file.

Q. What about setting up the email accounts, signatures, and all that...is
this a "manual" re-do, or will it all appear, just like before.
A. Yes, I believe you will have to manually recreate your email profiles and
signatures and redo all the customization.

Hope this solves all your queries.

Thanks.