Mail Merge From Outlook not working after upgrade to Windows 7

[Robertach]

I select data Source as Outlook and then get this Error message:
"Unable to obtain list of tables from the source data." I have a merge file
for Avery mailing labels (8182) and cannot get the Outlook Contact Folder to
open as I was able to before the upgrade to Windows 7.
In the Properties of the Outlook folder on the Outlook Address Book tab,
"Show this folder as an e-amail Address Book" is now greyed out so cannot
select it. Under the General tab, I have "Automatically generate Microsoft
Exchange views" selected.
Where am I going wrong now?
Need help. Thanks, Bob

 

[Russ Valentine]

What is an "upgrade to Windows 7?"
What steps did you use to ensure that your Outlook data was migrated
correctly?
Outlook will never work after you change operating systems until you create
a new profile and migrate your data to it correctly. Correct procedure is
posted here daily.

 

[Robertach]

By upgrade I mean I upgraded the operating system from XP to Windows 7,
skipping Vista.

I did exactly as instructed by Microsoft creating a backup of all the data
files using your Windows Easy Transfer program to an external HDD. This data
was then imported back after the W7 installation and all the Contacts folders
and everythig was there when opening Outlook in Windows 7. I lost nothing.

Now, back to my original question. I cannot get the Outlook contacts to open
in Word when doing an envelope or a Mail Merge and I believe it is beacuse
the in the Properties for folders on the Outlook Contacts, "Show this folder
as an e-amail Address Book" is now greyed out. All the Contacts are in
Outlook but cannot be seen on Word to do a merge. What is causing this to be
Greyed Out? If I could check this box, I believe I would be able to see the
Contacts in Word.

Bob

 

[Russ Valentine]

It has been well documented here countless times that you cannot use Windows
Easy Transfer with Outlook. It does not work. Apparently it never will. Why
Microsoft fails to acknowledge that fact and fix it remains a mystery that
Microsoft should be forced to explain. In my world I would be sued for
malpractice if I did something like that.
The answer remains the same. WET creates a corrupt Outlook profile with the
address book service permanently disabled. Create a new Outlook profile and
migrate your data correctly.

 

[Robertach]

Hi Russ,

Thanks for the better explanation and will try your suggestion.

Bob

 

[Robertach]

Hi,
Since posting my first question, I have been in email contact with MS
Support (in
India I believe) and received a reply this morning with a detailed solution
that worked for me. I have uploaded it to my Web page in PDF format and you
can download it from
http://www.accesswave.ca/~hamilton/OutlookContactMergeSolution.pdf

Hope this solves others problems with Contacts as well.
Regards, Bob

 

[Russ Valentine]

That's the same solution I posted, only theirs contains an error. Their
recommendation to import a PST file is flawed. Instead you should open the
PST file you want to use and set it as the default. The only people who
believe that importing PST files works is Microsoft. In the real world, we
know better.