Problems Backing Up .pst File in 2007

[WinkinVan]

Hi there,

I'm having to back up all my data files in order to send my laptop in for
servicing. I'm trying to backup my main .pst file and the archive. I was
trying to do it by simply selecting and dragging the Outlook folder on the
laptop to a temporary folder I've set up on my Server (I have a three comuter
wireless network).

When I tried this, I got the following error message:
"An unexpected error is preventing this operation.... Error 0x80070021.
The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a
portion of the file."

It then tells me that the file in question is the Archive file.

At the time this happened, the only things open were programs in the Startup
menu and Windows Explorer. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[K. Orland]

Outlook was closed at the time, correct? Rather than dragging the entire
folder, simply copy over the PST files. Note that Outlook should not use a
PST that is located on a network share because of potential (and likely)
corruption problems.

 

[WinkinVan]

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I tried dragging the file labelled "Outlook" and got the same message. I
then dragged the file labelled "Archive" and got the same response.

Any other ideas for me?

Regards,
Bill

 

[K. Orland]

Simply copy the files over. Make sure Outlook is not running in the task
manager (processes) before you do it. Outlook has to be completely closed.

You may have an add in that's interfering in the backup process. Open
Outlook in safe mode and see if the behaviour disables then. The file could
be locked by antivirus or even a PDA.

Normally however, that error number indicates that the PST is located on a
network share.