Keep losing Outlook.pst File

[JohnT]

I am running Outlook XP with all current service packs &
updates installed on XP Pro PC which all works fine,
except that I seem to lose my outlook.pst file every few
months for no apparent reason.
I have configured all autoarchiving to NO ARCHIVING so I
don't think this is my problem.
When I search PC for OUTLOOK.PST it ca't be found.
Can anyone shed some light on how to fix or stop this
happening & where the file is going.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I am running Outlook XP with all current service packs &
updates installed on XP Pro PC which all works fine,
except that I seem to lose my outlook.pst file every few
months for no apparent reason.

What are the symptoms?

I have configured all autoarchiving to NO ARCHIVING so I
don't think this is my problem.
When I search PC for OUTLOOK.PST it ca't be found.
Can anyone shed some light on how to fix or stop this
happening & where the file is going.

You need to include system/hidden folders in your search criteria in 2k/XP.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Enable searching hidden and system files in your Windows search.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After searching google.groups.com and finding no answer, JohnT asked:

| I am running Outlook XP with all current service packs &
| updates installed on XP Pro PC which all works fine,
| except that I seem to lose my outlook.pst file every few
| months for no apparent reason.
| I have configured all autoarchiving to NO ARCHIVING so I
| don't think this is my problem.
| When I search PC for OUTLOOK.PST it ca't be found.
| Can anyone shed some light on how to fix or stop this
| happening & where the file is going.

 

[johnt]

There is no apparent symptom that I can find or see.
The only other thing that seems to happen is that this
problem effects all folders under PERSONAL FOLDERS by
deleting data off to some other location that I can not
find.
Searching of the PC file system (including ALL SYS &
Hidden Files) returns NOTHING FOUND that matches the date
that this occurs. Search is only finding old backups that
I have kept and renamed eg: c:\backups\outlook\ol40404.pst

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

There is no apparent symptom that I can find or see.

When you open Outlook, what happens - as in, what are the symptoms of the
"lost" PST file? Do you get error messages? Is this your primary PST file or
a secondary one you open, or an archive PST file?

The only other thing that seems to happen is that this
problem effects all folders under PERSONAL FOLDERS by
deleting data off to some other location that I can not
find.

Do you have autoarchive enabled?

Searching of the PC file system (including ALL SYS &
Hidden Files) returns NOTHING FOUND that matches the date
that this occurs. Search is only finding old backups that
I have kept and renamed eg: c:\backups\outlook\ol40404.pst

Also, I imagine you would have mentioned it if you were, but do you use
Exchange server?

 

[Johnt]

Firstly to answer your pointers.
Do I get Error msgs etc when this happens ? Yes,
something like: can't find profile or Personal Folders.
Do you want to setup Personal Folders (Roughly speaking)

I only use a primary setup.
ALL AUTOARCHIVING IS DISABLED.
I don't run Exchange Server, but do have a 4 PC Workgroup
Mode Network on Win 2k3 Enterprise Server - Does raise
another set of possibilites ?

The only other thing that I have noticed is the the PC in
question seems to be dropping its network address
settings as well & when I re-enter the details in, it
just seems to drop it again after about 10 min. This only
seems to effect email and not LAN network operations as I
can connect across LAN to the PC OK.

Just a thought, a hammer might just fix this prob for
good if its h/ware based !!!

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

OK - is your PST file stored on the server? This isn't supported....it can
cause problems. Such as this one.

Firstly to answer your pointers.
Do I get Error msgs etc when this happens ? Yes,
something like: can't find profile or Personal Folders.
Do you want to setup Personal Folders (Roughly speaking)

I only use a primary setup.
ALL AUTOARCHIVING IS DISABLED.
I don't run Exchange Server, but do have a 4 PC Workgroup
Mode Network on Win 2k3 Enterprise Server - Does raise
another set of possibilites ?

Well, you could set up a domain and run Exchange, but it may not be suitable
for such a small office ($$$, admin skills, etc etc etc)