How do I open an older Outlook .pst file?

[mbrown3039]

I recently backep-up the hard drive on my laptop in anticipation of
reformatting the unit. After reformatting (using all the same software discs
that came with the laptop) I tried to open the .pst backup file for Outlook
(containing all my contacts, calendar, and emails for the last three years)
and got the following error message: "The <file> is not compatible with this
version of the Personal Folders Information Service." How can that be when I
am using the exact same version (same disc, remember?) of Outlook (Windows
XP, Outlook 2002) to try and open the file as was used to create it?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

I doubt that.
That error message indicates your PST file was created in Outlook 2003 and
you are trying to open it in an earlier version.

 

[mbrown3039]

You were absolutely right -- I had never updated Outlook 2002 to Outlook
2003, but I noticed that my post-backup Outlook did not have the same
appearance as my pre-backup Outlook. So, I upgraded (again, as it turns out;
I think the MIS from my previous coompany upgraaded me without telling me)
and have now been able to open the older .pst file. Thanks! Now, for my next
question: What is the easiest way to merge the two Outlook backup folders
(pre-laptop reformat and post-laptop reformat) so that I only have one set of
Email/Contacts/etc. folders? Mike

I doubt that.
That error message indicates your PST file was created in Outlook 2003 and
you are trying to open it in an earlier version.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I recently backep-up the hard drive on my laptop in anticipation of
reformatting the unit. After reformatting (using all the same software
discs
that came with the laptop) I tried to open the .pst backup file for
Outlook
(containing all my contacts, calendar, and emails for the last three
years)
and got the following error message: "The <file> is not compatible with
this
version of the Personal Folders Information Service." How can that be when
I
am using the exact same version (same disc, remember?) of Outlook (Windows
XP, Outlook 2002) to try and open the file as was used to create it?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Open both files in an Outlook profile. Copy what you want from one into the
other.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

You were absolutely right -- I had never updated Outlook 2002 to Outlook
2003, but I noticed that my post-backup Outlook did not have the same
appearance as my pre-backup Outlook. So, I upgraded (again, as it turns
out;
I think the MIS from my previous coompany upgraaded me without telling me)
and have now been able to open the older .pst file. Thanks! Now, for my
next
question: What is the easiest way to merge the two Outlook backup folders
(pre-laptop reformat and post-laptop reformat) so that I only have one set
of
Email/Contacts/etc. folders? Mike

I doubt that.
That error message indicates your PST file was created in Outlook 2003
and
you are trying to open it in an earlier version.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I recently backep-up the hard drive on my laptop in anticipation of
reformatting the unit. After reformatting (using all the same software
discs
that came with the laptop) I tried to open the .pst backup file for
Outlook
(containing all my contacts, calendar, and emails for the last three
years)
and got the following error message: "The <file> is not compatible with
this
version of the Personal Folders Information Service." How can that be
when
I
am using the exact same version (same disc, remember?) of Outlook
(Windows
XP, Outlook 2002) to try and open the file as was used to create it?