Restoring Backed up Outlook

[VtoriMac]

If some some can help me with restoring my outlook backup which I stored on a
external drive as I need to replace my computer. The emails, contact etc are
very important and extensive so any help would be greatly appreciated. The
type of file is PST file. I have already tryed to import it from open outlook
and going to the backed up file and "open with" both failed, th first saying
I did not have access to the external drive (which of course I do) and the
second saying my source was not right. Thanks in advance for assitance.

 

[Russ Valentine]

You never import to restore or transfer Outlook data.
Correct methods are posted here daily.
Take a look at these pages for info on Outlook data backup or transfer:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

Note that some of the information on the Microsoft page is outdated and
contains errors, particularly when applied to Outlook 2003 or 2007.
Specifically:
1. Ignore any advice to copy your PST file to Outlook's default location to
connect it to your profile. Doing so will often corrupt your Outlook
profile. Copy it
anywhere BUT the default location and then open it within your Outlook
profile.
2. Ignore any advice that tells you to use export or import to transfer
Outlook data. That has never been sound advice, but the process has become
too deeply flawed and is not safe.