import msgs from Outlook 03 on one comp to Outlook 07 on new comp

[Greg in Portland]

Here's my unique situation I'd really appreciate help with. This is hurting
my brain, and I am so afraid of screwing something up.

My last laptop recently "bit the dust". Although I know better, I had not
archived my messages or created a .pst file in quite some time. There is the
ever-so-slight possiblity I can get the old computer to work (with an
external monitor--long story) long enough to export all my messages from
Outlook 2003 as a .pst file. However, the more likely scenario is that I will
be converting that laptop's internal hard drive (which is in fine condition)
into an external hard drive which I will hook up to my new laptop in hopes of
recovering most of my data and files.

The new laptop is running Outlook 2007. I have already successfully
configured the POP accounts in this new version and am receiving new
messages. Here are my questions:

*If I am unable to use the old laptop long enough to create a .pst file, is
there a way to open the Outlook data from the old computer's hard drive while
connected to the new computer and import all my old messages (in the 03
version) into the new 07 Outlook? I imagine I would be opening one group of
data of the external drive and somehow copying it into Outlook on the new
internal drive.

*If so, will it simply append or add the old messages to my 2007 Outlook or
will it try to replace all my newest messages I've received since setting up
my new computer?

If anyone could walk me through this process, it would be very much
appreciated.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

*If I am unable to use the old laptop long enough to create a .pst file, is
there a way to open the Outlook data from the old computer's hard drive
while
connected to the new computer and import all my old messages (in the 03
version) into the new 07 Outlook? I imagine I would be opening one group of
data of the external drive and somehow copying it into Outlook on the new
internal drive.

If you install the old hard drive in the new PC, then you should be able to
get the old PST from that disk. The default location is (for Windows XP)
x:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook and the file is likely named Outlook.pst. The Local
Settings folder is a hidden folder so you'll need to enable viewing hidden
files and folders to browse to it. Copy that file to some place on your new
hard drive (NOT the default location) and try to open it in Outlook with
File>Open>Outlook Data File. If you get an error, you might have to take
ownership of the file before you'll be able to open it. Please write back
with the results, being sure to include your Windows version as well. You
should also read this:
http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Yes, you can access the old pst from the old drive as long as you can
connect it to the new computer. Even if the old computer works with a new
monitor, do not export - just find the pst and copy it to the new computer
(or to a flash drive). on the new computer, use file, open, outlook data
file to open it. Drag items you need to the new pst, leave old items in the
old pst and save it as an archive.

Default file paths are listed at
http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/filepath.htm - you'll just need to
change the drive letter to use the old drive and you'll probably need to
take ownership of the folders and files. Right click on the top level
folders and choose security - give your user acct full permission to the
folders and files.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Let's Really Fix Outlook 2010
http://forums.slipstick.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34

 

[Greg in Portland]

Thank you, Brian. I'll read the info at the link you provided also.

A couple of things:

*I won't be installing the old hard drive "in" the new laptop, but as an
external hard drive (I bought a "kit" to do this). I imagine that fact won't
change any of the details you outline, but would like to know for sure.

*I always thought an "Outlook.pst" file is a file you have to create. Maybe
I misunderstood. Is all my Outlook data always available in such a file even
if I did not manually create it?

*I don't know what "take ownership" means, but guess I can cross that bridge
when/if I come to it.

*I forgot to mention, the OS on the old laptop with Outlook 2003 was Windows
XP. The OS on the new laptop with Outlook 2007 is Vista Home Version.

Any additional comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.
Greg

 

[Greg in Portland]

Thank you, Brian.

A couple of things:

*I read the info on the link you provided. This is very informative. I guess
I had misunderstood the Outlook.pst file as something you had to manually
create as a export or back-up file. I'm glad to see it's always there.

*The old hard drive will not be "installed in" the new laptop, but connected
as an external hard drive (I bought a "kit" to do this). I don't think it
will change any of the details of the process you describe, but I'd like to
be sure.

*I don't know what "take ownership" means, but guess I will cross that
bridge when/if I come to it.

*I still didn't see an answer in your notes or at the linked site to this
question: Will opening (importing or restoring) from the old computer's data
file replace or delete all the new messages I've recieved since I set up
Outlook on my new computer? I sure hope not. I just want to ADD all the old
messages/folders of messages/contact and calendar data to the new Outlook.

*FYI, I forgot to mention, the operating system on old computer with Outlook
2003 was Windows XP. I can't recall the exact version, but it's about 2-1/2
years old. The operating system on the new computer with Outlook 2007 is
Windows Vista Home Edition. Please let me know if you think these different
version will create any additional issues for me.

Thank you again for your help and any additional you can give.
Greg

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

It doesn't matter how you hook the drive to the computer as long as windows
assigns a drive letter.

Outlook stores all its data in a pst. It creates on for a new profile and
you can create more later.

When you use the NTFS file system, every folder is assigned permissions -
only the "current user" account has permission to see the folders where the
pst is stored - the new account on Vista will need to be given permission to
see the files before you can access them. Do this using the Security tab on
the folder properties.



--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Let's Really Fix Outlook 2010
http://forums.slipstick.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34

 

[Greg in Portland]

Thank you again, Brian and Diane. Your posts answered many of my questions
and helped me understand the process I was facing. when I was able to sit
down and try it, I came up with more issues.

I had a heck of a time understanding the whole "permissions" and "taking
ownership" thing. It's so confusing because it gave me the option of four
different users: the "adminstrator", some user with a name made up of a whole
bunch of numbers, and two different versions of "Greg". I have no idea where
all these users come from, because all I did when I got the new computer was
tell it my name and give it a password.

I tried several different things but still can't access the contents of any
of the folders on this external hard drive from my old computer.

I'll search, but if you could point me to a primer on permissions I would
greatly appreciate it. Otherwise, I am dead in the water here.

Thanks,
Greg

Yes, you can access the old pst from the old drive as long as you can
connect it to the new computer. Even if the old computer works with a new
monitor, do not export - just find the pst and copy it to the new computer
(or to a flash drive). on the new computer, use file, open, outlook data
file to open it. Drag items you need to the new pst, leave old items in the
old pst and save it as an archive.

Default file paths are listed at
http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/filepath.htm - you'll just need to
change the drive letter to use the old drive and you'll probably need to
take ownership of the folders and files. Right click on the top level
folders and choose security - give your user acct full permission to the
folders and files.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]



Outlook Tips by email:
mailto:[email protected]

EMO - a weekly newsletter about Outlook and Exchange:
mailto:[email protected]

Let's Really Fix Outlook 2010
http://forums.slipstick.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Here's my unique situation I'd really appreciate help with. This is
hurting
my brain, and I am so afraid of screwing something up.

My last laptop recently "bit the dust". Although I know better, I had not
archived my messages or created a .pst file in quite some time. There is
the
ever-so-slight possiblity I can get the old computer to work (with an
external monitor--long story) long enough to export all my messages from
Outlook 2003 as a .pst file. However, the more likely scenario is that I
will
be converting that laptop's internal hard drive (which is in fine
condition)
into an external hard drive which I will hook up to my new laptop in hopes
of
recovering most of my data and files.

The new laptop is running Outlook 2007. I have already successfully
configured the POP accounts in this new version and am receiving new
messages. Here are my questions:

*If I am unable to use the old laptop long enough to create a .pst file,
is
there a way to open the Outlook data from the old computer's hard drive
while
connected to the new computer and import all my old messages (in the 03
version) into the new 07 Outlook? I imagine I would be opening one group
of
data of the external drive and somehow copying it into Outlook on the new
internal drive.

*If so, will it simply append or add the old messages to my 2007 Outlook
or
will it try to replace all my newest messages I've received since setting
up
my new computer?

If anyone could walk me through this process, it would be very much
appreciated.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I'll search, but if you could point me to a primer on permissions I would
greatly appreciate it. Otherwise, I am dead in the water here.

See if this helps:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67717-take-ownership-file.html
I also find this convenient:
<http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...ership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/>