Transfer .pst from OL 2003 to OL2000

[LoLo]

I tried to export a .pst from OL2003, but when I tried to import it to my
OL2000, I couldn't do it. Should I not be trying to import/export, and how
can I transfer my Outlook data via flash drive, on a weekly basis from my PC
(2003) to my laptop (2000)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, (and
I'm no guru, just a learning beginner)...eager to learn....but still a
beginner. Thanks, L

 

[Brian Tillman]

I tried to export a .pst from OL2003, but when I tried to import it
to my OL2000, I couldn't do it.

Outlook 2000 can't read Outlook 2003's PSTs and exporting creates that
format by default.

Should I not be trying to import/export,

Exporting to and importing from a PST is never the way to transfer data
between Outlook instances, even when they are compatible.

and how can I transfer my Outlook data via flash
drive, on a weekly basis from my PC (2003) to my laptop (2000)?

The method has been posted in this group many, many times. Google Groups is
great for finding this type of information.

In Outlook 2003, click File>New>Outlook Data File. Select "Outlook 97-2002
Personal Folders File (.pst)" and click OK. Browse to the folder where you
want to create it - on the flash drive, perhaps (or accept the default),
give it a file name (or accept the default) and click OK. Give it a display
name (or accept the default) and click OK. You'll now have another PST
listed in your Folders List with the name you gave it in the prior step.

Right-click and drag each of your folders to the new PST. When you release
the mouse button, choose Copy. When you've finished with all of your
folders, right-click the root of the PST in the Folder List and click Close.
Close Outlook. You now have a PST that you can copy to the flash drive, if
you didn't create it there in the first place, and that Outlook 2000 will
accept

On the other PC, put the flash drive in and start Outlook. Click
File>Open>Personal Folders File. Browse to the PST on the flash drive (or
you can first copy it to some folder on the hard drive and browse to it
there), select it, and click OK. It will open in Outlook and you can move
stuff around to your heart's content.

 

[LoLo]

Thanks Brian. What I think I'll do is update my 2000 to 2003 and then
transfer the data weekly via flash drive....so both computers can be on the
same page. I've copied your info here for reference if I need it instead.
Thank you for your time and expertise.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Thanks Brian.

You're welcome.

What I think I'll do is update my 2000 to 2003 and then
transfer the data weekly via flash drive....so both computers can be
on the same page.

Just keep in mind that ALL media based on flash technology have limits in
the number of times they can be written. Your flash drive vendor should
have informattion on the life cycle your device supports.

 

[LoLo]

Noooo....I had no idea that I couldn't utilize data transfer indefinitely via
the flash drive! Boy, you sure can't get your money's worth on anything
anymore. BTW, I took your advice regarding transferring the data via pst
from 2003 in the 97-2000 format and it worked beautifully (had a problem w/
trying to upgrade the 2000 to 2003, so left as is), but now having difficulty
w/ merging the subfolder that was automatically created. I was able to copy
the mail items and 'move to folder' and then delete the subfolder, but can't
figure out how to do it w/ the calendar and contact folders. So essentially
I have two calendars and two contact lists (?)
Lo

 

[Brian Tillman]

Noooo....I had no idea that I couldn't utilize data transfer
indefinitely via the flash drive! Boy, you sure can't get your
money's worth on anything anymore. BTW, I took your advice regarding
transferring the data via pst from 2003 in the 97-2000 format and it
worked beautifully (had a problem w/ trying to upgrade the 2000 to
2003, so left as is), but now having difficulty w/ merging the
subfolder that was automatically created. I was able to copy the
mail items and 'move to folder' and then delete the subfolder, but
can't figure out how to do it w/ the calendar and contact folders.
So essentially I have two calendars and two contact lists (?) Lo

The problem is that you copied the _folder_. For the default folders, you
must copy the _contents_ of the folder. Open the contacts folder in the
transferred PST, select all the items with CTRL-A, then click Edit>Copy to
Folder and specify the default Contacts folder as the destination. For the
Calendar, you'll have to switch to a list view like By Category before
CTRL-A will work.

 

[LoLo]

I did it w/ my calendar and now have a bajillion things that are duplicated.
Is there a quick and easy way to eliminate the duplicates? Haven't yet done
it w/ my contacts for fear of the same. Lo

 

[Brian Tillman]

I did it w/ my calendar and now have a bajillion things that are
duplicated. Is there a quick and easy way to eliminate the
duplicates? Haven't yet done it w/ my contacts for fear of the same.

There are many commercially-available duplicate removers. One is here:
http://www.sperrysoftware.com/Outlook/Eliminator-Bundle.asp

 

[LoLo]

Thanks for the info. Don't have the $70 to spend, so I'll just have to take
the time to do it manually somehow. Thanks for all of your help. L

 

[LoLo]

There are many commercially-available duplicate removers. One is here:
http://www.sperrysoftware.com/Outlook/Eliminator-Bundle.asp

Brian,
Since I don't have the funds for any purchase of software(or anything for
that matter), is there a way that I can exchange info on a weekly basis
between my PC and laptop with my flash drive(depending on its life cycle)?
Mostly need to take info from OL2003 to OL2000 and avoid duplication. It's
difficult to ascertain exactly what items/contacts/appts that are changed
daily on the PC where I'm transferring 'from', so I need a way to exchange
the info without creating hundreds of duplicates, or a simple easy way to
irradicate the duplicates. Any advice is, as always, greatly appreciated.
Lo

 

[Brian Tillman]

Since I don't have the funds for any purchase of software(or anything
for that matter),

Your data or your own time can't be very important, then. If it were, you'd
find it very cost-effective to purchase software that saves either.

is there a way that I can exchange info on a weekly
basis between my PC and laptop with my flash drive(depending on its
life cycle)?

Certainly. Create an OL 97-2002 PST, on the flash drive, sort the data in
your main folders by date, and copy the prior date's data to the old-format
PST. Then reference that PST from the OL 2000 system, keeping in mind all
the caveats about closing PSTs and Outlook itself properly after copying.
On the OL 2000 system move just that data from the flash drive PST to the
main one. Alternatively, see if anything here helps:
http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/sync.htm. My personal preference is to use
a PDA, but, again, that costs money.

 

[LoLo]

I do use a PDA and used to sync it w/ both computers in order to keep them on
the same page, but it started getting wonky with my laptop, so I uninstalled
it and just sync it w/ my PC now.

My data is important to me...I just don't have any cash (or even credit)
right now plain and simple, so if I have to spend a bit more time (to save $)
which is also important to me, that's what I have to do. Not looking for
tiny violins....it's just a fact. I did find some free duplicate remover
software that works fantastic though, so I saved between $25-70 right there!


I'll keep in mind your suggestion of sorting my data in my main folders by
date and then copying just what I need to weekly. I'm unaware of the caveats
of closing the pst and Outlook after copying, but I'll be sure to follow your
previous instructions on transferring data, to a T.

Again, thanks for your expertise! Lo

 

[Brian Tillman]

I'm
unaware of the caveats of closing the pst and Outlook after copying,
but I'll be sure to follow your previous instructions on transferring
data, to a T.

The caveats are that, at a minimum, Outlook must be closed when you copy any
PST contained in an Outlook mail profile and that if you intend to delete
that PST so Outlook doesn't reference it any more, you must close it in
Outlook first to remove it from the profile, then close Outlook before
deleting it from the hard drive.

 

[LoLo]

Thank you so much for all your info Brian. I know it must be difficult
sometimes dealing w/ folks like myself who know just enough to be dangerous.
You seem very knowledgable and I appreciate your pearls of wisdom. I've
copied all of the info here and will use it as a reference. Have a GREAT
Friday!! Lo