restore Outlook 2003 contacts

[dennisW]

I backed up my ~ 25 Outlook 2003 Contacts by exporting (to a .pst file) +
saved in a folder within My Documents. I had to reformat my drive after
installing Win XP SP2 + need to restore my Contact info. Tried File-import +
found 2 Outlook files saved: the file in My Documents (265 kb) + another
(default pop-up) in Application Data\ microsoft\outlook folder (5.35 Mb).
When I File-Import-from a .pst file as Help suggests to my Personal
Folders-Contacts, I get "The source, destination folders for this op can't be
the same",even when I import to a new folder (which shows empty).
File-Open-Outlook data file also does nothing. I want to back up data but
pointless if I can't restore it. Thanks for any help.
(although outside this forum, lost my 'net connection when I installed sp2.
Busy writing several folders to cd prior to 2nd attempt. Is there another
forum for helpful hints to make this work? thanks)

 

[Judy Gleeson \(MVP Outlook\)]

you are on the right track with File | Open | Outlook Data File. So what do
you mean by "it does nothing"?


I hope this helps you at least a little bit!

Judy Gleeson
MVP Outlook
Outlook trainer and author of Productiv_IT with Outlook
www.acorntraining.com.au
Canberra, Australia

Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we
can find information on it.
Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784), quoted in Boswell's Life of Johnson

 

[dennisW]

thanks Judy. To clarify: I think I backed up in Dec. using export so import
would restore. Using File > Open > Outlook Data File > (default
shown=\docs&settings\dennis\Local Settings\Applic
DataMicrosoft\Outlook\Outlook (Office Data File, type=Personal Folders File,
5.35 MB)). Opens: Personal Folders - Outlook Today: Calendar, Tasks, Msgs +
blank window below.
I can try to accumulate contacts again but some lost for good. How should I
back up this data? I found I can't easily copy or print Contacts (like a text
file). I could write all out by hand. I still need to install winxp sp2 so
face the risk of reformatting, reinstalling backups again. Mighty big pain.
Thanks again for your help. dennis

 

[Judy Gleeson \(MVP Outlook\)]

it sounds like you didn't find the "post file. Search for it and include
hidden folders. then use open > Outlook Data file

--
I hope this helps you at least a little bit!

Judy Gleeson
MVP Outlook
Outlook trainer and author of Productiv_IT with Outlook
www.acorntraining.com.au
Canberra, Australia

Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual
way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of
complaining.
Jef Raskin, interviewed in Doctor Dobb's Journal

 

[Judy Gleeson \(MVP Outlook\)]

..pst file

sorry the tablet gremlin got me!

--
I hope this helps you at least a little bit!

Judy Gleeson
MVP Outlook
Outlook trainer and author of Productiv_IT with Outlook
www.acorntraining.com.au
Canberra, Australia

Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual
way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of
complaining.
Jef Raskin, interviewed in Doctor Dobb's Journal

 

[Brian Tillman]

I backed up my ~ 25 Outlook 2003 Contacts by exporting (to a .pst
file)

Never export to or import from a PST. It's unnecessary and you lose data.
http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm