Outlook 2003 is showing 2 pst folders

[Jackie D]

Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is underneath. After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file but I can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show all hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a new style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must create a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

 

[Jackie D]

Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must create a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Jackie D]

I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

The way I already told you. You must create a new profile. In older versions
you could remove the reg key that referenced the file, but not in Outlook
2003 or 2007.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by
importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must
migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which
format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D


:

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must
create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The
Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is
underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file
but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show
all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but
the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a
new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Jackie D]

Russ,
I'm afraid creating a new data file isn't solving the problem of my corrupt
personal folders files. The problem is, I can't close or delete the corrupt
one or its ghost. I can create a new data file and that works fine but the
old ones are still visible.

Can you suggest a way of getting rid of these files? I don't need to keep
any old emails or contacts. I rwad the article you suggested but I'm none the
wiser. Nothing I try is working.
--
Jackie D

The way I already told you. You must create a new profile. In older versions
you could remove the reg key that referenced the file, but not in Outlook
2003 or 2007.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by
importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must
migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which
format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D


:

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must
create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The
Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is
underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file
but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show
all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but
the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a
new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Hal Hostetler [MVP P/I]]

You must create a new PROFILE, not a new data file.

http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/newprofile.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829918/en-us
How to create a new e-mail profile in Outlook 2003

Once the new profile is created, these pages will help you with the data
file.

http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
Outlook & Exchange/Windows Messaging Backup and Dual-Boot
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
Backup and Restore
http://www.slipstick.com/config/movepst.htm
To move a Personal Folders .pst file
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
Reconnect your old Outlook data file

Hal
--
Hal Hostetler, CPBE -- (e-mail address removed)
Senior Engineer/MIS -- MS MVP-Print/Imaging -- WA7BGX
http://www.kvoa.com -- "When News breaks, we fix it!"
KVOA Television, Tucson, AZ. NBC Channel 4
Still Cadillacin' - www.badnewsbluesband.com

Russ,
I'm afraid creating a new data file isn't solving the problem of my corrupt
personal folders files. The problem is, I can't close or delete the corrupt
one or its ghost. I can create a new data file and that works fine but the
old ones are still visible.

Can you suggest a way of getting rid of these files? I don't need to keep
any old emails or contacts. I rwad the article you suggested but I'm none the
wiser. Nothing I try is working.
--
Jackie D

The way I already told you. You must create a new profile. In older versions
you could remove the reg key that referenced the file, but not in Outlook
2003 or 2007.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D


:

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by
importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must
migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which
format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D


:

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must
create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The
Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is
underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file
but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show
all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but
the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a
new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

I've already told you twice. Create a new profile.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;829918&Product=out2003

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,
I'm afraid creating a new data file isn't solving the problem of my
corrupt
personal folders files. The problem is, I can't close or delete the
corrupt
one or its ghost. I can create a new data file and that works fine but the
old ones are still visible.

Can you suggest a way of getting rid of these files? I don't need to keep
any old emails or contacts. I rwad the article you suggested but I'm none
the
wiser. Nothing I try is working.
--
Jackie D

The way I already told you. You must create a new profile. In older
versions
you could remove the reg key that referenced the file, but not in Outlook
2003 or 2007.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D


:

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST
file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by
importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must
migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which
format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D


:

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must
create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The
Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old
style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I
have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top
and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is
underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file
but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have
'show
all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD
but
the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone
know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a
new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they
still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Jackie D]

Russ,

You did tell me to create a new profile. But you didn't tell me HOW to
create it. The link you posted is about data files and not profiles. As a
result I thought they were the same thing. My mistake but there you are. So
the link unfortunately and, I'm sure, unintentionally added to my confusion.

I've followed the link Hal suggested and my pst problem is all sorted now.
However, I appreciate that you tried to help. I don't appreciate the tone of
your last reply. It seems that my lack of knowledge and understanding has
irritated you. But I wouldn't be posting in the first place if I knew how to
do it myself.



--
Jackie D

I've already told you twice. Create a new profile.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;829918&Product=out2003

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,
I'm afraid creating a new data file isn't solving the problem of my
corrupt
personal folders files. The problem is, I can't close or delete the
corrupt
one or its ghost. I can create a new data file and that works fine but the
old ones are still visible.

Can you suggest a way of getting rid of these files? I don't need to keep
any old emails or contacts. I rwad the article you suggested but I'm none
the
wiser. Nothing I try is working.
--
Jackie D

The way I already told you. You must create a new profile. In older
versions
you could remove the reg key that referenced the file, but not in Outlook
2003 or 2007.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D


:

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST
file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by
importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must
migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which
format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D


:

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must
create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The
Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old
style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I
have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top
and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is
underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file
but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have
'show
all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD
but
the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone
know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a
new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they
still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

It is very difficult to know what posters know and don't know. Most users
who know enough to migrate a data file know how to create a new profile. If
you didn't, your next post should simply have asked that question. We cannot
read minds in newsgroups.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,

You did tell me to create a new profile. But you didn't tell me HOW to
create it. The link you posted is about data files and not profiles. As a
result I thought they were the same thing. My mistake but there you are.
So
the link unfortunately and, I'm sure, unintentionally added to my
confusion.

I've followed the link Hal suggested and my pst problem is all sorted now.
However, I appreciate that you tried to help. I don't appreciate the tone
of
your last reply. It seems that my lack of knowledge and understanding has
irritated you. But I wouldn't be posting in the first place if I knew how
to
do it myself.



--
Jackie D

I've already told you twice. Create a new profile.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;829918&Product=out2003

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Russ,
I'm afraid creating a new data file isn't solving the problem of my
corrupt
personal folders files. The problem is, I can't close or delete the
corrupt
one or its ghost. I can create a new data file and that works fine but
the
old ones are still visible.

Can you suggest a way of getting rid of these files? I don't need to
keep
any old emails or contacts. I rwad the article you suggested but I'm
none
the
wiser. Nothing I try is working.
--
Jackie D


:

The way I already told you. You must create a new profile. In older
versions
you could remove the reg key that referenced the file, but not in
Outlook
2003 or 2007.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D


:

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST
file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by
importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must
migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter
which
format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D


:

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You
must
create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly.
The
Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old
style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that
I
have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the
top
and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is
underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually
my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the
file
but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where
the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have
'show
all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original
CD
but
the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does
anyone
know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on
creating a
new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they
still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks

 

[Jackie D]

Hi Hal

I obviously didn't know the difference between profiles and data files and I
was confused further by Russ's link to a help page that describes how to set
up new data files. Anyway, thanks to you I understand completely now. I've
created a new profile and all is well again. Thank you so much for coming to
the rescue!
--
Jackie D

You must create a new PROFILE, not a new data file.

http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/newprofile.htm
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829918/en-us
How to create a new e-mail profile in Outlook 2003

Once the new profile is created, these pages will help you with the data
file.

http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
Outlook & Exchange/Windows Messaging Backup and Dual-Boot
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
Backup and Restore
http://www.slipstick.com/config/movepst.htm
To move a Personal Folders .pst file
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
Reconnect your old Outlook data file

Hal
--
Hal Hostetler, CPBE -- (e-mail address removed)
Senior Engineer/MIS -- MS MVP-Print/Imaging -- WA7BGX
http://www.kvoa.com -- "When News breaks, we fix it!"
KVOA Television, Tucson, AZ. NBC Channel 4
Still Cadillacin' - www.badnewsbluesband.com

Russ,
I'm afraid creating a new data file isn't solving the problem of my corrupt
personal folders files. The problem is, I can't close or delete the corrupt
one or its ghost. I can create a new data file and that works fine but the
old ones are still visible.

Can you suggest a way of getting rid of these files? I don't need to keep
any old emails or contacts. I rwad the article you suggested but I'm none the
wiser. Nothing I try is working.
--
Jackie D

The way I already told you. You must create a new profile. In older versions
you could remove the reg key that referenced the file, but not in Outlook
2003 or 2007.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
I see. How do I get rid of a ghost?
--
Jackie D


:

The second PST file was a ghost, by the way, not your archive PST file.
Ghosts are created whenever you try to migrate your data file by
importing
it or by just pasting it into Outlook's default location. You must
migrate
PST files by opening them in Outlook. Also, it does not matter which
format
a PST file is in. Both formats are valid Outlook Data Files.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Thanks Russ for this help file. I'll give it a go.
--
Jackie D


:

You corrupted your profile by migrating data incorrectly. You must
create
a
new profile from scratch and migrate your data file correctly. The
Help
files tell you how.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
Hi

I'm using Outlook 2003 on my laptop (OS XP) and I have the old style
pst
folder and not the outlook data file. Recently I noticed that I have
two
folders called Personal Folders File. The main one is at the top and
the
second one (with an identical copy of all the folders) is
underneath.
After
much head scratching I realized that the second one is usually my
archive
folders. I thought I could go into Properties and rename the file
but I
can't
modify anything. Also, when I navigate to the C: drive where the
personal
folders files are stored, only one is showing. And I do have 'show
all
hidden
files' selected.

I tried to uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the original CD but
the
duplicate personal folders files are still present. Does anyone know
what's
happend and how I can get it back to factory settings?

By the way, this all started because I was planning on creating a
new
style
personal data file but even though I delete the old ones, they still
appear
in the left-hand pane when I open Outlook.

Thanks