Outlook 2003 backup issue.

[michaelthompson]

I backed up my personal email folders as a outlook data file. I put this on
a USB drive and had to re-install my OS (XP Home), then re-installed office
2003. when trying to restore my email, it is not sucessfull. When i add data
file, there is nothing there but a deleted folder and a search folder. no
inbox/sent/personal folder etc...i have also tried importing the file with no
sucess. help

 

[K. Orland]

Did you verify when you backed up the file that it was the correct size (ie
matched the size of the original PST file)? You don't have to actually do a
backup, all you have to do is close Outlook and copy the existing PST file.

When you open Outlook, click on File > Open to open the data file. Don't
export/import because of the potential for corruption.

 

[michaelthompson]

my system crashed (XP PRO). i had the .PST files saved to a USB drive. I re
loaded my OS, and reinstalled office 2003. I then opened outlook and created
a profile . in the "open outlook data file", there was a .pst installed
called outlook. I then wen to c/document/user/local/MS/outlook and dragged
my .pst file into this folder. Then i opened up outlook, clicked on
file/open/outlook data file , then clicked on my .pst file that i just put
into this folder.

what happend then - i had a new personl folder that reflected my name, and
when i opened it, there wsa a deleted items and search folders. none of my
emails. my contacts did come through.. not sure why the emails are not
there. I used this before and it worked. i have three profiles and this
happens on all three .pst.