Switching IMAP servers and worried about losing old emails

[yoknows]

Hey,

I am helping someone migrate from one ISP to another, and I have
reached a point where I can't give an informative answer. Here's the
scenario:
They have folders setup and emails stored on their existing IMAP
hosted server. They use Outlook (I think 2003) to read/send emails.
Now they have to switch over to another ISP which will also use IMAP.
My concern is that I do not want them to lose all the old emails when
they migrate over.

1) When the Outlook account pointing to ISP A is switched to point to
ISP B, and the client syncs up their email, will they lose their
existing emails locally?
2) If they will lose the email, is the solution to switch the Outlook
mode to POP3 for ISP A, download the existing emails, and then switch
Outlook back to IMAP and to ISP B? But then what will happen when
they resync to ISP B?

Any advice would be massively appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Ace Fekay [MVP]]

In

Hey,

I am helping someone migrate from one ISP to another, and I have
reached a point where I can't give an informative answer. Here's the
scenario:
They have folders setup and emails stored on their existing IMAP
hosted server. They use Outlook (I think 2003) to read/send emails.
Now they have to switch over to another ISP which will also use IMAP.
My concern is that I do not want them to lose all the old emails when
they migrate over.

1) When the Outlook account pointing to ISP A is switched to point to
ISP B, and the client syncs up their email, will they lose their
existing emails locally?
2) If they will lose the email, is the solution to switch the Outlook
mode to POP3 for ISP A, download the existing emails, and then switch
Outlook back to IMAP and to ISP B? But then what will happen when
they resync to ISP B?

Any advice would be massively appreciated. Thanks.

Yes, they will lose their emails from the server, but if using Outlook 2003,
a PST file was created when the account was created. Check File, Data
Management to see its location. Also make sure all folders have been
synchronized, meaning all the data for each email is in the PST.

Switching to POP is not the answer.

--
Regards,
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations

 

[yoknows]

(e-mail address removed) <[email protected]> typed:









Yes, they will lose their emails from the server, but if using Outlook 2003,
a PST file was created when the account was created. Check File, Data
Management to see its location. Also make sure all folders have been
synchronized, meaning all the data for each email is in the PST.

Switching to POP is not the answer.

--
Regards,
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,
MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly. Please
checkhttp://support.microsoft.comfor regional support phone numbers.

Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hi Ace,

Thanks so much for replying. So let me see if I understand:
I copy the PST file after syncing the folders, and then now I have a
backup. And then I can switch the imap mail server to the new
address, and resync (thus losing all old emails).

What is then done with pst file? Can the emails in tha pst file be
merged in with the now changed IMAP account? Or do I just create a
new email account from the PST file and this account will act as the
old emails in case I need to search them, and I have a separate
account for the new IMAP server?

Thanks again,
Yoav

 

[Ace Fekay [MVP]]

In

Hi Ace,

Thanks so much for replying. So let me see if I understand:
I copy the PST file after syncing the folders, and then now I have a
backup. And then I can switch the imap mail server to the new
address, and resync (thus losing all old emails).

What is then done with pst file? Can the emails in tha pst file be
merged in with the now changed IMAP account? Or do I just create a
new email account from the PST file and this account will act as the
old emails in case I need to search them, and I have a separate
account for the new IMAP server?

Thanks again,
Yoav

When you create the new account for the new ISO, let it create it's PST that
will be associated with the new account you are creating. You can do this
while the old account is still active, that is if there will be an overlap
between when you stop the old service and begin the new. Nonetheless, a new
PST will be created. Make sure with the old account that you synch up all
the mail ensuring all the data is in it's own PST. When you stop the new
service, delete the account. The old PST will remain. You can also copy it
elsewhere if you want to insure you still have a copy. Once the old account
is deleted, goto File, Data Management and add a PST. Choose the old
account's PST. It will now show up as a second set of folders.

Ace

 

[Diane Poremsky {MVP}]

Find the current IMAP pst (with outlook closed) and copy it to My Documents.
Rename it 'old imap' to avoid confusion. Open it using file, open, outlook
data file to verify it's ok. Add the new acct - remove the old one.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Need Help with Common Tasks? http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/
Outlook 2007: http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/ol2007/

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