Problem with Offline Folders

[Marks70]

We have an Exchange 2000 environment and recently purchased new
laptops/desktops with Outlook 2003. I configured Outlook for Offline use,
but I
did not choose Cached Exchange Mode. From my reading of Offline Folders, you
do not need to configure Cached Exchange Mode to allow the use of offline
folders.

When I disconnect the laptop from the network, and bring Outlook up, Outlook
says its in Offline mode, but there are no items in any of my mailbox
folders. I confirmed that I do have an Outlook.ost file, but it has little or
know byte count.

I was under the impression that mailbox items automatically synchronize with
my Offline folders, such as when I exit Outlook. Is this not the case? Do I
need to manually synchronize the folders to make them available offline?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

It sounds like you never synchronized. You can check your send/receive group settings to see how it's set up.

Cached Exchange mode does it for you automatically, and I would strongly recommend that you use it instead of the classic offline mode.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Marks70]

Are you saying that if I don't use Cached Exchange Mode that it is not an
automatic process? I have to manually synchronize my offline folders?

And may I ask why you strongly recommend using Cached Exchange mode vs. the
traditional offline mode?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Cached Exchange mode synchronizes constantly in the background, not on a schedule or on demand (both of which classic offline mode supports). If you get disconnected from the network, you'll be able to keep working without restarting Outlook. Cached mode also supports much larger offline folders files and uses a more robust .ost format.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Marks70]

So assuming I want to stay with the classic Offline mode, how do I get
Outlook 2003 to automatically synchronize my Offline Folders?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Tools | Send/Receive | Send/Receive Settings | Define Send/Receive Groups -- That dialog should give you the settings you need.

Is there a particular reason why you don't want to use Cached Exchange mode?

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Marks70]

I've heard of some issues associated with using Cached Exchange Mode,
although I can't remember what they are at this point.

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

I'd suggest that you try it.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers