error importing pst files

[Dono]

when trying to convert the old non-unicode PST file to a unicode PST file, I
recieve a message that says "file folder pst already in use" and then it does
not allow me to proceed. any ideas?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Since importing would never be the correct way to do this, one must wonder
what you are doing and why. You provided no information.

 

[Gordon]

Why is not the correct way?
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HP010383511033.aspx

(Courtesy of Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook])

Importing an entire PST may well corrupt your profile and may create a ghost
PST that you can't close. Importing PST's will lose:
1. Custom Forms
2. Custom Views
3. Connections between contacts and activities
4. Received dates on mail
5. Birthdays and anniversaries in calendar
6. Journal connections
7. Distribution Lists

Opening a PST file will preserve all of these. That is why we do not advise
people to import a native file into Outlook.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Because importing loses data, as Gordon has pointed out. Instead you copy
the data from the old format PST into the new one.

 

[Brian Tillman]

Why is not the correct way?
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HP010383511033.aspx

This is the method I find works most reliably:
<http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.outlook.installation/msg/7ba985e39550306c>

 

[Dono]

Where have you guys been all my life. Thank you very much. Brian, your advise
was perfect - thanks. The MS web site tells people to creat a new PST file,
then import the old one. I am glad that I rec'd the error, message now. Why
would MS give bad advise like that? Am I missing something?

 

[Gordon]

Where have you guys been all my life. Thank you very much. Brian, your
advise
was perfect - thanks. The MS web site tells people to creat a new PST
file,
then import the old one. I am glad that I rec'd the error, message now.
Why
would MS give bad advise like that? Am I missing something?

well it's rather like the page that says you can run XP with 128 MB
RAM.......

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Because Microsoft has never been very adept at finding, recognizing and
reporting its shortcomings. To this day, they still think the import process
works as it should, probably because they have only tested it in a lab
environment with professional testers. Those of us who are idiot end users
in the real world often find the things they miss. That's what makes things
like this newsgroup valuable.

 

[Dono]

I agree; you guys have helped me with an issue that has been pending for
about 9 months now. I have been deeting saved email that I would have rather
not deleted in order to have the capability to recieve add'l email. I will be
using this service in the future - ALOT. Thanks again guys for all of your
help!!! For a novice-novice like me, it means a lot.
--
Dono

Because Microsoft has never been very adept at finding, recognizing and
reporting its shortcomings. To this day, they still think the import process
works as it should, probably because they have only tested it in a lab
environment with professional testers. Those of us who are idiot end users
in the real world often find the things they miss. That's what makes things
like this newsgroup valuable.