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Problem Copying Outlook .PST Files

Discussion in 'Microsoft Mail (Outlook / OE / Windows Mail)' started by dkline, 2007/03/25.

  1. 2007/03/25
    dkline

    dkline Inactive Thread Starter

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    I just started using Outlook 2003 and have two questions related to the main .pst file.

    1) When I initially set up Outlook, I named the .pst file "David Kline.pst" rather than the default "Outlook.pst." Why I did that is a long story and not worth going into. But I would like to change it now to the standard "Outlook.pst," if only to ease the synchronization of Outlook beween my desktop and laptop PCs.

    So how do I change it from "David Kline.pst" to "Outlook.pst "? Is it as simple a matter as just renaming it? Or do I need to do something else?

    2) I tried to do a "rough" synchronization of Outlook between my desktop PC, which has many more (and more updated) emails and addresses and calendar entries, and my laptop PC. I copied the larger .pst file from my desktop (named "David Kline.pst" see above), renamed it "Outlook.pst," and then copied it over onto my laptop's "Outlook.pst.

    Well, Outlook opened just fine on the laptop with the new, larger .pst file -- and it had all my more recent emails and calendar entries, etc. But I could not access the addresses -- I got some sort of error message saying something like my contacts file was no longer accessible or linked to my addresses file. Whatever that means.

    Clearly, synching is not just a simple matter of copying the .pst file from desktop to laptop (or vice versa). Or at least there may be other steps needed -- such as copying a contacts file -- that I did not do.

    Any advice on solving these two issues above?
     
    dkline,
    #1
  2. 2007/03/26
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I'd suggest importing the David Kline.pst 'into' the Outlook.pst on the laptop.

    I'd also suggest the same method if you want to 'rename' the pst file on your desktop. You save a copy of David Kline.pst, then have Outlook create a new data file, & importing the data from David Kline.pst into it.
     
    Arie,
    #2


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  4. 2007/03/26
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    First off, I have Outlook (2002) XP installed but I don't use it. When I was writing a piece on moving XP default folders, I also moved the Outlook files. If the file is moved, when Outlook is started and can not find the file in the previous location, it will ask which one to use. I directed it to the original file in its new location.

    With Outlook closed, I would make a backup copy of "David Kline.pst" in a separate location. Next, I would rename the original file "Outlook.pst ". When starting Outlook, I would follow the prompts to find the "missing" file but instead, direct it to the renamed file.

    If it doesn't work, you have the backup to copy back into the original location.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #3
  5. 2007/03/27
    dkline

    dkline Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks guys. Import/export rather than copy/rename is clearly the way to go.
     
    dkline,
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