Pst import hangs

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windcaid - 17 Nov 2006 20:20 GMT

I recently exported then successfully imported a large (half Gb) .pst
file(Office 2K) from a crasheed computer to another. The client then bought a
new laptop with Office 2003. I tried importing firstly by after setting up a
profile so Outlook would open, by dropping the pst into the relevant folder.
Everything loaded except the contacts hung . From then Outlook kept crashing.
So I removed the pst file, and tried doing an import instead. Again, all
loaded but it hung on the contacts until Outlook stopped responding. Ran
scanpst on the file...still no good. Made a new exported pst, uninstalled and
reinstalled Outlookm same problem, it hangs at the contacts transfer....they
all seem to be imported, but either the program is unusable bacause it's so
slow, or it crashes. Also tried removing 2003, and using 2000...same thing.
Have tried different (earlier) versions of the same pst file...same.

Would be very pleased to hear of any solutions offered.

Cheers

Bob

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 17 Nov 2006 21:07 GMT

This is a perfect recipe for corrupting profiles and corrupting Outlook data
files. You might want to read this group, the KB or help files before you do
things like this.
Never export or import PST files. Just open them in Outlook.
Never just drop a PST file into the default location because you will most
likely overwrite another PST file.
Get a backup of this file before you corrupted it and just open it in
Outlook.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

>I recently exported then successfully imported a large (half Gb) .pst
> file(Office 2K) from a crasheed computer to another. The client then
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Bob

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windcaid - 17 Nov 2006 23:52 GMT

Russ,

Thanks for that. It begs the question as to why there is an import/export
function built into Outlook, with relevant help sections dedicated to
performing just such operations! When you say, just open it in Outlook, do
you mean, don't start Outlook, but double click the pst, or some other way
from within the program?

Thanks

Bob

> This is a perfect recipe for corrupting profiles and corrupting Outlook data
> files. You might want to read this group, the KB or help files before you do
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> >
> > Bob

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 18 Nov 2006 09:54 GMT

Import and Export are to convert to or from other file formats.
You can only open PST files in Outlook: File > Open > Outlook Data File. You
can't open PST files in Windows Explorer.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> Russ,
>
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>> >
>> > Bob

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windcaid - 18 Nov 2006 17:25 GMT

Russ,

Thanks again. I'll try that and let you known how it goes.

Cheers

Bob

> Import and Export are to convert to or from other file formats.
> You can only open PST files in Outlook: File > Open > Outlook Data File. You
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> >> >
> >> > Bob

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windcaid - 18 Nov 2006 18:42 GMT

Russ,

Just as an addendum to my last post.
Before I open the pst in the way you suggest, what is the best way of
ensuring that Outlook is "clean" from any previous failed imports. When I
left it, it was limping and crashing after failing to import as described in
my 1st post.

Thanks

Bob

> Import and Export are to convert to or from other file formats.
> You can only open PST files in Outlook: File > Open > Outlook Data File. You
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
> >> >
> >> > Bob

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 18 Nov 2006 19:30 GMT

Easiest thing to do is just create a new profile from scratch.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> Russ,
>
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>> >> >
>> >> > Bob

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windcaid - 19 Nov 2006 00:46 GMT

Will do. Thanks!

Bob

> Easiest thing to do is just create a new profile from scratch.
> > Russ,
[quoted text clipped - 75 lines]
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Bob

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windcaid - 23 Nov 2006 10:36 GMT

Just to give a bit of feedback.....
Created new profile from CPanel/Mail after deleting existing one, which then
takes you through mail setup and therefore creates new Personal Folders.
Opened outlook and opened the pst I wanted. This all worked fine (and fast)
except now there are two lots of Personal folders, with the mail delivery
going to the wrong set. Back to Control Panel, redirected the mail to the new
folder set, restarted Outlook..froze after a few mins. After an hour of
recreating profiles and trying different ways, I found that the procedure
tjhat worked was to start Outlook FIRST, then create the profile etc etc.

Russ, it's been a great help and another step towards MS manhood!

Thanks for your help

Bob

> Easiest thing to do is just create a new profile from scratch.
> > Russ,
[quoted text clipped - 75 lines]
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Bob

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