Backing up and pst files ???

[Sequoia225]

I used to back up Outlook Exp files by copying the indiv mail folder files under the Win/App data/identies/xxx/xx
path. Then Id import them in if I needed to reinstall system.

Now Im using Outlook 2003.
1. All Ive learned is that you can export to a pst file called "backup
The folder where this ends up going also has a pst file called "outlook
What is this other pst file?

2. When I export all folders to pst file, it creates a file say 1G large. If I backup again, the file gets bigger.
But not twice as big. If I toss it, and backup its a diff size then the first time I tried it. Also theres some naming procedure when I first create it but the file doesnt end up being named that as it is only called "backup

Can someone tell me about these pst files. Is my only option to export to a "backup.pst" file?
Is there a place where my actuall email resides that I can just copy to another disk/cdr etc etc?
In outlook express is was in .dbx files that had the names of all the folders individually.

Ive read the outlook help but still feel confused as to the nature of this .pst file procedure.
thank

 

[DL]

What you used to backup was outlook express, a different app to Outlook
The pst file contains all yr data, eg mail contacts etc.
MS has a backup addin, that may be usefull.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...3a-b7d0-4b16-b8af-5a6322f4fd01&DisplayLang=en
The default name for yr OL data file is outlook.pst the default name for the
backup is backup.pst, these files are identical; both in size and content.
You can name them anything you like and place anyware on the/a hd.
You can burn a pst to cd but it can only be read from hd as OL requires full
read/write access.
You can also Archive mail, default name archive.pst

I used to back up Outlook Exp files by copying the indiv mail folder files

under the Win/App data/identies/xxx/xxx

path. Then Id import them in if I needed to reinstall system.

Now Im using Outlook 2003.
1. All Ive learned is that you can export to a pst file called "backup"
The folder where this ends up going also has a pst file called "outlook"
What is this other pst file??

2. When I export all folders to pst file, it creates a file say 1G large.

If I backup again, the file gets bigger.

But not twice as big. If I toss it, and backup its a diff size then the

first time I tried it. Also theres some naming procedure when I first create
it but the file doesnt end up being named that as it is only called "backup"