SP2 Update: Seemed to erase previous profile and files

[EntrustInspections.com]

After loading SP2 update successfully I opened Outlook to find that my
previous profile and all configuration + files were gone. Biz contacts 800+,
multiple email accounts, notes, etc... Can I fix this by simply directing
the newly updated software to a personal file to load so it will ask me for
the profile I want? Or is my profile and files erased due to an overwrite
during the update process?

Thx,

EntrustInspections.com

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Applying a service pack shouldn't have done anything to change your Outlook mail profile(s) or data file. Have you tried bringing up the Mail applet in Control Panel to examine your profile settings?

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[EntrustInspections.com]

Sue,

I pulled it up and the only profiles that the applet reflects are the ones
that were placed during the update. In fact, there was one profile I never
had before "Test". I am getting along without my old data, but it still lost
the original email accounts, profiles, notes, etc.

Thank you for the response.

Chad

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Applying a service pack doesn't create any new mail profiles. Any chance you're logged on as a different Windows user or as a local rather than domain user?

Your old data will be in a .pst file if you're not using Exchange as your mail server.
--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[EntrustInspections.com]

Understood.....pst files. I am not on a server and not running exchange.
This was why I was leaning toward my first question about pointing Outlook
toward a personal file. I am logged on as the same user nothing has changed
there.

It is conceivable that I just don't remember creating a "Test" profile, but
it is still weird that after a SP2 download that my profile is gone. Nothing
else was done on the machine and no other problems were noted at the time. I
will look to see if there is a .pst file that belongs to my old profile.

Thanks,

Chad

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Weird, unexpected, and unexplainable to the extent that I'd be looking for some other cause.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[coal_brona]

Hi,

If your files are lost you can still try restoring them using data
recovery tools. Among them I can pose out Active@ Undelete or
Uneraser(for DOS). They never failed me before and were always able to
bring back info, never corrupting it. I'm pretty sure that will be able
to help you.

http://www.active-undelete.com/

http://www.uneraser.com/