How to fix Disabled Outlook98 and OE?

[Craig]

I am using both Outlook Express and Outlook98 (with 97Office suite) under
WinXP/SP2.
In the past, everything ran smoothly until last week. Here is what
happened:

Because of some problems with Word, the whole 97Office was uninstalled.
Then, 97Office Suite and 98Outlook were re-installed. This event caused
problems with Outlook 98 (accordingly OE too).

When I clicked Outlook icon, it prompted the following error: This
information service has not been configured. Select an existing file to
configure, or type the name of a new file to create.

It is looking for *.pst under C:\Windows folder. Since outlook.pst is a
hidden file, I could not direct to the hidden folder.

When I checked, I confirmed that Outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst.

The problem appears to be finding "outlook.pst".

When I copied the hidden outlook.pst under C:\Windows, it prompted that the
file c:\windows\outlook.pst is not a personal folder file.

Could someone help me with this problem? I desperately need to need to use
email programs. Macho

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You simply need to configure Outlook 98 to use the PST file as its default.
Can't tell you how. You failed to provide the mail support mode of Outlook
98 you are using.
Corporate Mode: (With Outlook closed)
- Control Panel > Mail applet
- Remove the current Personal Folder service
- Readd the service, directing it to the new PST file location
- Restart 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.

 

[Craig]

Russ,

Thanks. Mine is "Intern Mail Only" mode.

Internet Mail Only mode:
- File menu > Open > Personal Folders file > migrate to the new PST file
location to open it

When I tried to follow your advise, "Personal Folders file" directs to "My
Documents" subfolder. But outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst. The problem is that both of these
locations are under hidden.. Even after checking, "Show hidden files and
folders" , I am unable to see outlook.pst. Please advise how to direct to
the hidden folder/file for outlook.pst. Thanks.
Macho

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

I have no other information to provide. These are the only instructions that
exist. Outlook 98 was developed for Win 95/98 platform. I have never run
into anyone who has tried to get it to work on a platform that is 3
generations later.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

Thanks. Mine is "Intern Mail Only" mode.

Internet Mail Only mode:
- File menu > Open > Personal Folders file > migrate to the new PST file
location to open it

When I tried to follow your advise, "Personal Folders file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder. But outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst. The problem is that both of these
locations are under hidden.. Even after checking, "Show hidden files and
folders" , I am unable to see outlook.pst. Please advise how to direct
to the hidden folder/file for outlook.pst. Thanks.
Macho

 

[Craig]

Any other suggestion?

When I clicked on Outlook icon (this action did not allow me to open file),
it prompted

" information service has not been configured. Select an existing file to
configure, or type the name of a new file to create.". "Personal Folders
file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder.

Because of this problem, I am unable to access to address book.

Please advise me. Macho

I have no other information to provide. These are the only instructions
that exist. Outlook 98 was developed for Win 95/98 platform. I have never
run into anyone who has tried to get it to work on a platform that is 3
generations later.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

Thanks. Mine is "Intern Mail Only" mode.


When I tried to follow your advise, "Personal Folders file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder. But outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst. The problem is that both of these
locations are under hidden.. Even after checking, "Show hidden files
and folders" , I am unable to see outlook.pst. Please advise how to
direct to the hidden folder/file for outlook.pst. Thanks.
Macho

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

So if you have now managed to find and open this file in Outlook, why can
you not set it to be your default using the instructions I posted?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Any other suggestion?

When I clicked on Outlook icon (this action did not allow me to open
file), it prompted

" information service has not been configured. Select an existing file to
configure, or type the name of a new file to create.". "Personal Folders
file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder.

Because of this problem, I am unable to access to address book.

Please advise me. Macho

I have no other information to provide. These are the only instructions
that exist. Outlook 98 was developed for Win 95/98 platform. I have never
run into anyone who has tried to get it to work on a platform that is 3
generations later.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

Thanks. Mine is "Intern Mail Only" mode.

Internet Mail Only mode:
- File menu > Open > Personal Folders file > migrate to the new PST
file location to open it

When I tried to follow your advise, "Personal Folders file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder. But outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst. The problem is that both of these
locations are under hidden.. Even after checking, "Show hidden files
and folders" , I am unable to see outlook.pst. Please advise how to
direct to the hidden folder/file for outlook.pst. Thanks.
Macho

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Sorry, I misread your post.
It is not clear what you did to place Outlook in a state where it cannot
open. That would be important information to have. You've obviously
disconnected it from any data file.
You can easily find all your PST files by searching for *.PST. Make sure you
are searching for and displaying hidden files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Any other suggestion?

When I clicked on Outlook icon (this action did not allow me to open
file), it prompted

" information service has not been configured. Select an existing file to
configure, or type the name of a new file to create.". "Personal Folders
file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder.

Because of this problem, I am unable to access to address book.

Please advise me. Macho

I have no other information to provide. These are the only instructions
that exist. Outlook 98 was developed for Win 95/98 platform. I have never
run into anyone who has tried to get it to work on a platform that is 3
generations later.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

Thanks. Mine is "Intern Mail Only" mode.

Internet Mail Only mode:
- File menu > Open > Personal Folders file > migrate to the new PST
file location to open it

When I tried to follow your advise, "Personal Folders file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder. But outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst. The problem is that both of these
locations are under hidden.. Even after checking, "Show hidden files
and folders" , I am unable to see outlook.pst. Please advise how to
direct to the hidden folder/file for outlook.pst. Thanks.
Macho

 

[Craig]

Russ,
I have been asking you the same question all along.
Outlook.pst is a hidden file sitting under HIDDEN FOLDER. How can I direct
to without revealing the hidden folder/hidden file (i..e, outlook.pst).
Macho

Sorry, I misread your post.
It is not clear what you did to place Outlook in a state where it cannot
open. That would be important information to have. You've obviously
disconnected it from any data file.
You can easily find all your PST files by searching for *.PST. Make sure
you are searching for and displaying hidden files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Any other suggestion?

When I clicked on Outlook icon (this action did not allow me to open
file), it prompted

" information service has not been configured. Select an existing file
to
configure, or type the name of a new file to create.". "Personal
Folders file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder.

Because of this problem, I am unable to access to address book.

Please advise me. Macho

I have no other information to provide. These are the only instructions
that exist. Outlook 98 was developed for Win 95/98 platform. I have never
run into anyone who has tried to get it to work on a platform that is 3
generations later.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Russ,

Thanks. Mine is "Intern Mail Only" mode.

Internet Mail Only mode:
- File menu > Open > Personal Folders file > migrate to the new PST
file location to open it

When I tried to follow your advise, "Personal Folders file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder. But outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst. The problem is that both of these
locations are under hidden.. Even after checking, "Show hidden files
and folders" , I am unable to see outlook.pst. Please advise how to
direct to the hidden folder/file for outlook.pst. Thanks.
Macho

 

[Brian Tillman]

I have been asking you the same question all along.
Outlook.pst is a hidden file sitting under HIDDEN FOLDER. How can I
direct to without revealing the hidden folder/hidden file (i..e,
outlook.pst). Macho

Why worry about revealing the hidden folders? The default location for the
PST is
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. Enter this
path in the Windows Explorer Address bar, press Enter and you should see the
contents of that hidden folder.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Your question does not make any sense. The fact that it is a hidden file is
irrelevant. You can still access it, which is what you need to do.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,
I have been asking you the same question all along.
Outlook.pst is a hidden file sitting under HIDDEN FOLDER. How can I
direct to without revealing the hidden folder/hidden file (i..e,
outlook.pst). Macho

Sorry, I misread your post.
It is not clear what you did to place Outlook in a state where it cannot
open. That would be important information to have. You've obviously
disconnected it from any data file.
You can easily find all your PST files by searching for *.PST. Make sure
you are searching for and displaying hidden files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Any other suggestion?

When I clicked on Outlook icon (this action did not allow me to open
file), it prompted

" information service has not been configured. Select an existing file
to
configure, or type the name of a new file to create.". "Personal
Folders file" directs to
"My Documents" subfolder.

Because of this problem, I am unable to access to address book.

Please advise me. Macho




I have no other information to provide. These are the only instructions
that exist. Outlook 98 was developed for Win 95/98 platform. I have
never run into anyone who has tried to get it to work on a platform that
is 3 generations later.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Russ,

Thanks. Mine is "Intern Mail Only" mode.

Internet Mail Only mode:
- File menu > Open > Personal Folders file > migrate to the new PST
file location to open it

When I tried to follow your advise, "Personal Folders file" directs
to "My Documents" subfolder. But outlook pst is stored under Local
setting/application data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst or application
data/microsoft/outlook/outlook.pst. The problem is that both of these
locations are under hidden.. Even after checking, "Show hidden files
and folders" , I am unable to see outlook.pst. Please advise how to
direct to the hidden folder/file for outlook.pst. Thanks.
Macho

 

[Craig]

I even copied outlook.pst under c:\My Documents or C:\Windows to direct the
pst file.
Then, it did not recognize.
I am wondering whether I can solve this problem by changing registry or not.

Regards,

Macho

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Probably not. It's hard to say because it's still not clear how you managed
to disable your Outlook profile.
To create a new "profile" in IMO, quit Outlook then delete this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Messaging
Subsystem\Profiles\Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings

Restart Outlook. It will create a new profile and new PST automatically. You
should then be able to change your default PST to your current PST file
using the instructions I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I even copied outlook.pst under c:\My Documents or C:\Windows to direct the
pst file.
Then, it did not recognize.
I am wondering whether I can solve this problem by changing registry or
not.

Regards,

Macho

 

[Craig]

Russ,

Thank you for your patience.

Restart Outlook. It will create a new profile and new PST automatically.

I see that it creates personal folder.pst under My Documents folder.

You should then be able to change your default PST to your current PST file
using the instructions I posted.

This makes sense. My question is how to that. Do you mind which
instruction you are referring to for changing pst?

BTW, I tried to direct to the original Outlook.pst. It prompted that
"Outlook.pst is not a personal folder file". So I should follow your
instruction as described above.
TIA. Macho

Probably not. It's hard to say because it's still not clear how you
managed to disable your Outlook profile.
To create a new "profile" in IMO, quit Outlook then delete this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Messaging
Subsystem\Profiles\Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings

Restart Outlook. It will create a new profile and new PST automatically.
You should then be able to change your default PST to your current PST
file using the instructions I posted.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

The very first set of instructions I posted:
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.

So now you tell me you get an error when you access your old file? Then how
did you create and transfer this file?

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

Thank you for your patience.

Restart Outlook. It will create a new profile and new PST automatically.

I see that it creates personal folder.pst under My Documents folder.

You should then be able to change your default PST to your current PST
file using the instructions I posted.

This makes sense. My question is how to that. Do you mind which
instruction you are referring to for changing pst?

BTW, I tried to direct to the original Outlook.pst. It prompted that
"Outlook.pst is not a personal folder file". So I should follow your
instruction as described above.
TIA. Macho

Probably not. It's hard to say because it's still not clear how you
managed to disable your Outlook profile.
To create a new "profile" in IMO, quit Outlook then delete this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows Messaging
Subsystem\Profiles\Microsoft Outlook Internet Settings

Restart Outlook. It will create a new profile and new PST automatically.
You should then be able to change your default PST to your current PST
file using the instructions I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I even copied outlook.pst under c:\My Documents or C:\Windows to direct
the pst file.
Then, it did not recognize.
I am wondering whether I can solve this problem by changing registry or
not.

Regards,

Macho


Your question does not make any sense. The fact that it is a hidden
file is irrelevant. You can still access it, which is what you need to
do.