.pst pointer in Mail seems to be wrong, and other recent adventure

[tcarp]

I'm working this for a friend over the phone so...

We were planning a copy of a .pst file on her old laptop to her new laptop
and then add it to Outlooks data files. There are two things I could use
some help with.

First, we can't find the .pst file on the old computer. Did a search for
*.pst and made sure the hidden folders was enabled for the search, but no
luck. And if we use windows explorer to look for the Local Settings folder
it's doesn't show up. Yet, Outlook sees the file since the mail can be
accessed from inside the app.

The second issue is that Control Panel>Mail has a .pst file listed but when
you try to access it via Settings or Open Folder it fails with a file not
found. The user did do a move file apparently from within explorer (to an
external HD) so the file probably disappeared then. But the .pst file that
she moved is only a few KB in size so it can't be the .pst file that actually
is being accessed by Outlook.

Is there an overview of how Mail and Outlook relate to help me learn the
context?

But mostly, how do we find the real .pst file Outlook sees so we can copy it
over to the new computer (via an external HD for backup)?

Thanks

Tom

 

[Brian Tillman]

I'm working this for a friend over the phone so...

We were planning a copy of a .pst file on her old laptop to her new
laptop and then add it to Outlooks data files. There are two things
I could use some help with.

First, we can't find the .pst file on the old computer.

Open Windows Explorer and enter the following in the Address field:
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook . Then
click Go. I suspect you'll see it. You must use "Search hidden files and
folders" and "Search subfolders", I believe.

And if we use windows explorer to look for the
Local Settings folder it's doesn't show up.

Because it's hidden and you must enable the Folder Option to allow Explorer
to see it. In Explorer, click Tools>Folder Options and, on the View tab,
select "Show hidden files and folders". I also recommend unchecking "Hide
extentions for known file types".

The second issue is that Control Panel>Mail has a .pst file listed
but when you try to access it via Settings or Open Folder it fails
with a file not found. The user did do a move file apparently from
within explorer (to an external HD) so the file probably disappeared
then. But the .pst file that she moved is only a few KB in size so
it can't be the .pst file that actually is being accessed by Outlook.

If you don't think this PST exists, remove it with the Mail applet. Select
it and click Remove.

Is there an overview of how Mail and Outlook relate to help me learn
the context?

Plenty. Start with http://www.slipstick.com/ ,
http://www.howto-outlook.com/ and
http://www.outlook-tips.net/

 

[tcarp]

Open Windows Explorer and enter the following in the Address field:
%UserProfile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook . Then
click Go. I suspect you'll see it. You must use "Search hidden files and
folders" and "Search subfolders", I believe.

What Address field are you referring to in WE? I don't see one on my
machine. I assume you may mean Search. If so, we've tried that including
making sure it searched for hidden files and folders. The address we used
was *.pst

Because it's hidden and you must enable the Folder Option to allow Explorer
to see it. In Explorer, click Tools>Folder Options and, on the View tab,
select "Show hidden files and folders". I also recommend unchecking "Hide
extentions for known file types".

We did this one too. On my computer Local Settings is listed in WE. On
hers, it's not, so it does make sense that it's hidden. But apparently we're
not being successful in getting the hidden files to be visible.

If you don't think this PST exists, remove it with the Mail applet. Select
it and click Remove.

Am I correct in assuming that a remove in Mail actually doesn't physically
delete the file?

Thanks Brian

Tom

 

[tcarp]

Because it's hidden and you must enable the Folder Option to allow Explorer
to see it. In Explorer, click Tools>Folder Options and, on the View tab,
select "Show hidden files and folders". I also recommend unchecking "Hide
extentions for known file types".

Brian, we've done some more testing to find out why Local Settings isn't
showing and the *.pst search fails. I'm told that both the Show Hidden
Files... and the Don't Show Hidden Files... radio buttons are checked. When
she gets it so only the Show Hidden Files is selected and OKs out and then
comes back, they are both selected again. This may explain why she can't see
the hidden folders.

Why would both be checked and why won't they stay changed?

Thanks

Tom

 

[Brian Tillman]

What Address field are you referring to in WE?

The one at the top of Explorer. RIght-click the Toolbar and check "Address
Bar".

I don't see one on my
machine. I assume you may mean Search.

If I had meant "search" I would have typed "search".

Am I correct in assuming that a remove in Mail actually doesn't
physically delete the file?

In the Mail applet, removing the PST from the mail profile does not delete
it from the disk, merely prevents Outlook from using it.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Brian, we've done some more testing to find out why Local Settings
isn't showing and the *.pst search fails. I'm told that both the
Show Hidden Files... and the Don't Show Hidden Files... radio buttons
are checked. When she gets it so only the Show Hidden Files is
selected and OKs out and then comes back, they are both selected
again. This may explain why she can't see the hidden folders.

Why would both be checked and why won't they stay changed?

This is in Control Panel's Folder Options? I don't see how that's possible
because those radio buttons are exclusive. Clicking one clears the other.

What type of account is this person using?

Even with showing hidden files and folders disabled, you can explore then by
entering their paths in the WE Address bar or you can use a command prompt
window to navigate to the folder.

 

[tcarp]

This is in Control Panel's Folder Options? I don't see how that's possible
because those radio buttons are exclusive. Clicking one clears the other.

I agree. This doesn't make sense. And when she corrects it to set only one
on, leaves, and tests to see if she can search for the hidden folder, it
fails. When she goes back to Folder Options both radio buttons are on again.

What type of account is this person using?

I'm not sure what you mean here?

Even with showing hidden files and folders disabled, you can explore then by
entering their paths in the WE Address bar or you can use a command prompt
window to navigate to the folder.

You've mentioned the WE address bar before. I'll have her see what she can
see there, but I can tell you that the Local Settings folder is not displayed
in the file list in the left window in WE.

Tom

 

[Brian Tillman]

I'm not sure what you mean here?

Power User, Limited, Administrator...

You've mentioned the WE address bar before. I'll have her see what
she can see there, but I can tell you that the Local Settings folder
is not displayed in the file list in the left window in WE.

And it won't be if it's hidden and you haven't (or can't) enable the option
to view it. But you'll be able to type in the path directly. I told you in
a prior message how to enable the Address bar.