PST file import problem

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Joe Bloggs - 27 Feb 2006 11:13 GMT

I've had to re install Office 2003 (on XP) on my lap top and am trying to
import my .PST file. I have changed the default location of where I keep the
backup PST file.

I have copied it to my lap top and am trying to import all my info from this
PST file.

I keep getting error message "The source and destination folders for this
operation cannot be the same". So I moved to PST file to another folder and
still I get same error message.

I have previously carried out this procedure without a problem.

Can anyone assist please? (Maybe it's best if I move the PST file to where
it sould be by default?)

Many thanks

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 27 Feb 2006 11:27 GMT

Do not move the PST file to the default location.
Do not import an entire PST file. Ever.
Just open the PST file (File > Open > Outlook data File...)
If that error message recurs, then you already have that PST file open in
your Profile.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> I've had to re install Office 2003 (on XP) on my lap top and am trying to
> import my .PST file. I have changed the default location of where I keep
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Many thanks

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Gordon - 27 Feb 2006 11:28 GMT

> I've had to re install Office 2003 (on XP) on my lap top and am trying to
> import my .PST file. I have changed the default location of where I keep the
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Many thanks

Do NOT import. That's the quickest way to a corrupt pst file. Just (in
Outlook) go to File-Open-Outlook Data File and navigate to your copied
file. (You will need to remove any Read-Only attribute first). Then just
drag the data from your old file to your new one.

HTH

Signature

Gordon Burgess-Parker
Interim Systems and Management Accounting
www.gbpcomputing.co.uk

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Joe Bloggs - 27 Feb 2006 11:48 GMT

Thanks, however. Opening does not show any contents.

I'll revert to saving as CSV files I guess? (Or what is best way to copy big
contact list from one PC to another? I don't have direct link between PC's)

Annoying as I did this produre fine a few times before.

Thanks

>> I've had to re install Office 2003 (on XP) on my lap top and am trying to
>> import my .PST file. I have changed the default location of where I keep
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> HTH

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Joe Bloggs - 27 Feb 2006 13:02 GMT

I cured Outlook PST problem by creating new PST file on main machine,
copying to Lap Top and (after deleting all old entries in Lap Top version of
PST file) overwriting and restarting Outlook. Maybe it's not recommended
way, but it worked!

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Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] - 27 Feb 2006 21:05 GMT

Trying to convert to a different file type is a poor choice for transferring
Outlook data. It's only a good choice for losing data.
The method I posted is the only recommended one and works fine when done
correctly.

Signature

Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

> Thanks, however. Opening does not show any contents.
>
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>>
>> HTH

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Joe Bloggs - 28 Feb 2006 12:09 GMT

Russ

Thanks for your help, yesterday was crazy and I needed that data urgently.

So I know in future how to do this, I just want to understand how to do it
in future.

What I want to do every few monts it totally remove all my contacts and all
mails stored on my Lap Top and import those on my home PC. So I will do a
export PST file on home PC.

Do I then copy to Lap Top (in a new location) and File-Open-Outlook Data
File?

Thanks

> Trying to convert to a different file type is a poor choice for
> transferring Outlook data. It's only a good choice for losing data.
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>>>
>>> HTH

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Brian Tillman - 28 Feb 2006 14:06 GMT

> So I know in future how to do this, I just want to understand how to
> do it in future.
>
> What I want to do every few monts it totally remove all my contacts
> and all mails stored on my Lap Top and import those on my home PC. So
> I will do a export PST file on home PC.

Never export to or import from anything when moving Outlook data to another
instance of Outlook or you will lose data. Simply copy the PST on one
machine to the other machine, putting in a folder not already containing a
PST (so you don't overwrite an existing PST), then use Outlook to open it
with File>Open>Outlook Data File. No export or import needed.

> Do I then copy to Lap Top (in a new location) and File-Open-Outlook
> Data File?

This part, at least, is correct. See this for a lengthier description:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

Signature

Brian Tillman

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