Hard to say what you did wrong since you didn't tell us what you did.
DL's survive file migration just fine as long as you don't import your data.
You should never import Outlook data.
Just copy and reuse the PST file.

Signature
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
>I have purchased a new PC....I figured out where the .pst files for outlook
> were stored, but much to my surprise all the distribution lists I had
> developed did not make the move. Where are distribution lists stored and
> how
> can I move them from my old PC to my new one.