Outlook 2003 .pst files in Windows 7

[Caryl]

I am having a lot of problems setting up my Outlook 2003 on a Windows
7 computer. When I first got the computer I set it up correctly, but I
had to return the computer to the manufacturer for a new motherboard
and they wiped the hard drive without telling me first. Luckily I had
a backup of the drive on an external hard drive.

I installed the Outlook 2003 program and connected to the Internet and
all the emails that had been sent to me when I did not have the
computer were downloaded into the Inbox. I then copied the saved .pst
file and went to File/Open/Outlook Data file and pasted it there while
I was offline. I have had to do this a few times as this data file
seems to disappear periodically.

Now I have three Personal Folders. The first one has all the normal
Outlook folders: Inbox, Unread Mail, Sent Items, and so forth. It has
no file folders, except for one which I experimented with and copied
from my second Personal Folders and pasted there. Incoming mail comes
to the first Personal Folder Inbox.

The second Personal Folders is empty and when I hit it I get this
message: "Unable to expand the folder. The set of folders could not be
opened." I cannot even delete this folder because I get this message.

The third Personal Folders has all the normal Outlook folders--its
Inbox has the emails that were there when I originally backed it up--
and all my file folders. I have added emails from the first Personal
Folders Inbox to these folders. I also have a link to this Personal
Folder of my Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks. When I write an email,
since all processes are attached to the First Personal Folder, the
address is not automatically added.

How do I get all folders, files, and functions under one Personal
Folder? I hope that the above is clear and explains what I have done
so far.

Thank you for helping me. I am becoming desperate!

Caryl.

 

[Jim]

I am having a lot of problems setting up my Outlook 2003 on a Windows
7 computer. When I first got the computer I set it up correctly, but I
had to return the computer to the manufacturer for a new motherboard
and they wiped the hard drive without telling me first. Luckily I had
a backup of the drive on an external hard drive.
Clip
Caryl.

Here's hint: Look under File->Import

Jim

 

[Caryl]

Here's hint: Look under File->Import

Jim

Thank you for your reply. However, I have read several places that you
should not open a saved data file with Import but with Open and then
pasting it, as I did. If I do import it, what happens to the Personal
Folders that are already in Outlook?

When I turned on my computer this morning my Personal Folders had
changed. I know have four. The first one is the same as described in
my first email and works--except for not having Contacts, Calendar,
and Tasks, and the file folders (which, although it will take a while,
I can copy and paste there). The other three are all the same now and
have all the file folders but do not receive mail. I would like one of
these Personal Folders linked to Outlook so the mail comes to it or I
would like the Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks with them linked to the
working Personal Folder.

If I use Import, what will happen?

Thank you.

Caryl

 

[Jim]

Thank you for your reply. However, I have read several places that you
should not open a saved data file with Import but with Open and then
pasting it, as I did. If I do import it, what happens to the Personal
Folders that are already in Outlook?

When I turned on my computer this morning my Personal Folders had
changed. I know have four. The first one is the same as described in
my first email and works--except for not having Contacts, Calendar,
and Tasks, and the file folders (which, although it will take a while,
I can copy and paste there). The other three are all the same now and
have all the file folders but do not receive mail. I would like one of
these Personal Folders linked to Outlook so the mail comes to it or I
would like the Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks with them linked to the
working Personal Folder.

If I use Import, what will happen?

Thank you.

Caryl

Caryl,
Make sure your Ethernet cable is unplugged
Backup all your PST files (Make sure Outlook is not loaded!!)
Open Outlook
In Outlook Close all PST files except the one you want to keep
Now import the others
If it doesn't work restore from backup

Has worked for me in the past.

Jim

 

[Brian Tillman]

I am having a lot of problems setting up my Outlook 2003 on a Windows
7 computer. When I first got the computer I set it up correctly, but I
had to return the computer to the manufacturer for a new motherboard
and they wiped the hard drive without telling me first. Luckily I had
a backup of the drive on an external hard drive.

I installed the Outlook 2003 program and connected to the Internet and
all the emails that had been sent to me when I did not have the
computer were downloaded into the Inbox. I then copied the saved .pst
file and went to File/Open/Outlook Data file and pasted it there while
I was offline. I have had to do this a few times as this data file
seems to disappear periodically.

Now I have three Personal Folders. The first one has all the normal
Outlook folders: Inbox, Unread Mail, Sent Items, and so forth. It has
no file folders, except for one which I experimented with and copied
from my second Personal Folders and pasted there. Incoming mail comes
to the first Personal Folder Inbox.

The second Personal Folders is empty and when I hit it I get this
message: "Unable to expand the folder. The set of folders could not be
opened." I cannot even delete this folder because I get this message.

The third Personal Folders has all the normal Outlook folders--its
Inbox has the emails that were there when I originally backed it up--
and all my file folders. I have added emails from the first Personal
Folders Inbox to these folders. I also have a link to this Personal
Folder of my Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks. When I write an email,
since all processes are attached to the First Personal Folder, the
address is not automatically added.

How do I get all folders, files, and functions under one Personal
Folder? I hope that the above is clear and explains what I have done
so far.

Sounds like, in addition to other things, your mail profile is broken. You
should start with a new one using the Mail applet in Control Panel. Open
the applet, click Show Profiles, then Add. Using the Data Files button, add
the PST you want to contain your default folders. This is probably your old
PST, but it could be the new one that received the messages that came in
while the computer was being serviced. It doesn't really matter which,
particularly if they are both Unicode PSTs (created with Outlook 2003 and
not an earlier version). Then add to that profile the other PST. Close the
Mail applet.

Start Outlook. You'll see both of the folders sets in the Navigation Pane.
Click the Folder List button or press Ctrl+6 so you see all your folders.
Expand the non-default folders. Select the first folder in that set and
press Ctrl-A to select all the items in that folder. (If it's the Calendar
folder, you should choose the Events view before pressing Ctrl-A.) Now
right-click the selection and choose Copy. Browse to the corresponding
folder in your default folder list and click OK. Do this for each folder in
the extra PST. When you're finished, right-click the root of the extra PST
in the Navigation Pane and choose Close. It will be removed from Outlook
and you'll have all your data in one folder set.