Outlook Problem

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We've got a user who, when he tries to open his contacts in Outlook, gets an error message saying that the folder he's trying to access has either moved or been deleted. This guy really wants to have his contacts back and says that the tech I'm temporarily replacing fixed this for him once before.

One of the server guys just moved all the e-mail acccounts from one Exchange server to another. Most accounts moved ok but there were a few that were a problem. He says that I'll probably have to blow away Outlook on his computer and reinstall it. Like most people, he's got a lot of e-mails on his hard drive he'd like to save. So, where does he save them so that he can restore them later?

Also, given the problem, does this sound like the "solution of choice"?

 

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Hi,

I used to use Outlook hooked to an Exchange Server at my old job - certainly not claiming to be an expert, but did help a few colleagues out from time to time when they moved desks and needed to re-establish connection to the Exchange server - aren't all the mails and contact lists held centrally on the server?

 

Before I say a word, I confess I'm completely shooting in the dark on this one ...

But last week, I was toasting w2kPro to reinstall w2k Server, and use Outlook (just on the local machine - no Exchange stuff happening yet)

I HAD to maintain my contacts, so used the Import/Exort facility within Outlook to Export my Contacts and Personal Folders into a .pst file, which I then held on floppy ( ) until Outlook was back up on the new Server install.

My point, Trip, being that this User's Contacts must reside somewhere in a .pst file, and when you say a tech has just moved all accounts from one Server to another, would it be too simplistic to suggest doing a search for the %username%.pst file on that new Server ?

Once again, I know next to zip about this, so ignore this post as you see fit.

 

I got on the mail server (the blessings of having admin privledges) and can find the user by searching active directory. Couldn't find a place to search for a specific file/folder. I opened up something called :

\\servername\EXMERGEDATA and a file with the users name came up. I tried to open it and got a box saying I'm trying to open a .pst file and do I really want to do it? It also wants to know what program I want to open it with. Wassup? His was the only file in EXMERGEDATA.

 

If you can get to that stage, Trip - can you then go to the User's machine, then use Import/Export from within Outlook and point it to the \\servername\EXMERGEDATA share, and locate that User's .pst file ?

I don't think I explained too well earlier ... keep us posted - is this live as we speak ?

 

Probably be into tomorrow at least before I can get to it. I was bushwacked here at City Hall and haven't had a chance to get out.

 

Rather than try the search once out at the user's site, I tried it on my own pc with interesting results. I first searched "*.pst" and came up with:

anotherusername (nobody associated with the computer I use) in the C:\PCE folder
Absence in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder

and that's it.

I tried searching under mylastnamefirstinitial.pst
and %username%.pst

but came up with no results

I also tried searching in the "A word or phrase in the file" field but came up with no results. I certainly didn't come across anything with my name on it. I just went to the start button, clicked "search" and did what I do to find any file.

Now, it did say it's not searching for hidden files so I went into "advanced" and clicked on the checkbox that will cause a search of those files. A bunch of other stuff started coming up with titles like:

Outlook (came up twice...once in the administrator's profile and once for that one guy's name in his profile)
Outlook1 (in that guy's name profile)
archive (in the gal I'm replacing's profile)
archive1 (same)
the first two folders I'd mentioned before came up
and that's it.

So, since opening these things up seems to be a bit of a chore, how do I tell which one I want to save since none are mine. I am logged on as myself and I do have an Outlook account. Oh..."abscence" comes up in blue text.

 

This was what I meant by logging on at the User's machine, as the User.

Then, open Outlook, and from File>Import/Export, search for the related .pst file on the "new" Server.

If this blindingly obvious, please tell me so, but I think we're heading in the right direction, Trip

 

Please, I appreciate your being "blindingly obvious" as I am massively dense. Thanks, Gav.

 

Trip,

If the user is an exchange user his mail should be held on the exchange server not in a file on the PC, the data on the server wouldn't normally by in PST format, Exemerge is a utility used to migrate accounts. It's possible they've created a set of personal folders and moved mail to that which would be held locally. If you want to make sure you have the data before zapping the PC then load outlook, select the folder where the email/contacts/calendar is, go to file - Import and export, select export to a file, select personal folder file (.pst) then follow the wizard. You'll end up with a pst file which you specified in the wizard. You may need to do that several times to get all the data depending how you export the folders. Put all the pst's ina safe location while you zap the PC then follow the same wizard to import the data if you find the Exchange Server really hasn't stored the Data.

 

Ok, I tried this on my work PC to see what would happen. I opened outlook, selected the "contacts" folder and followed your instructions. I didn't see an option as to where I could send the contacts and they ended up being named "backup" and stored in

C:\\Documents and Settings\myusename\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook.

Of course, I didn't have anything actually stored there myself so there's nothing to get lost.

If I understand what you're saying at this point, I could blow away and reinstall Outlook then (somehow) import the backup.pst file back into the user's contacts and all would be right with the world. Is that right?

EDIT: Well, I selected my contacts folder (I decided not to get carried away with the lab and didn't blow away and reinstall Outlook on my machine) from file, I selected import/export...but there doesn't seem to be a way to reach out to my backup file (tho there must be). The Import and Export Wizard opens but gives me a limited number of options. The only two that seem half likely (and neither works) is 'Import Internet Mail Account Settings" and " Import Internet Mail and Addresses". Guess I really am a blockhead. What's next?

 

Thats the one we're after, Trip - if you can select it, then it will reload all folders and contacts you chose to export in the first place. I think ....

 

Sorry Gav, I don't think you're right. To import your PST what you need to do is go to file - Import/Export, select "from another program or file" and click next, select personal folder file (pst) from the list of file types then click next, the next page on the wizard should be where you tell it where to find your pst, next select where you want the import to go.

HTH

 

No probs , Phil - I did chuck in a disclaimer when I first posted on this one

I'm clearly missing the point, tho', as I'm sure that what I did last week (ie Export my Contacts and Personal Folders to a .pst file, then send that to Floppy, then Import back from there from within the "new" Outlook) is broadly similar to what we're saying here, isn't it ?

I'm quite willing to believe I'm barking up the monkey tree here, but I would like to know where I'm going wrong, for personal reference, so if you can be bothered to bash my head against the wall, I'll be grateful

And besides, I still make a great Chilli !!! :P

 

Ok Phil, it's beginning to make sense. I created a contact in my contact's folder and did the export to a file thing. I chose a .pst file in the wizard and hit next. I selected my contacts folder to export from...next. I saved it in the same backup folder I created earlier in my profile, allowing duplicates to be created and hit finish. I was surprised to see that my contact was still in my contacts folder. I assumed that if it was "exported", it would be gone.

Ok, now for the reverse. Import from another program or file. I chose the .pst file. Chose the same backup folder and allowed duplicates to be created. For "select the folder to import items from", I'm only allowed Personal Folders with sub-folders "contacts" or "deleted items". "Include subfolders" is checked and "Import items into the same folder in "Mailbox - myname" is selected. Other options are "personal folders and "public folders. Finish. Now there are three contacts for me in the contacts folder. Something worked but, was it the right thing?

 

I think you've got it Trip, the reason you have 3 contacts now is because when you tried to back up the contacts folder this time it appended to the original PST you created, you allowed duplicates to be created, so that file now has to contacts exactly the same. When you imported you again allowed duplicates so the import threw the pst file with two contacts into the contacts folder with a contact already there, so giving you three contacts at the end of the process.

Gav, we are talking about the same thing, the only part I disagreed with you about was when you said to import the pst file using the Import Internet Mail and Addresses option. This will migrate data from an existing mail application on the PC into outlook. Of course, if this also imports pst files then I'll be the one going

Andrew, how do you get round the OE wanting to save to the local drive issue for those users who can't use outlook?

 

Ermm, I hate to say this, Phil, but I'm afraid it does, as I imported direct from the file on my floppy - nowt else was set up in either Outlook or OE.

Still, this was a good learning curve for me, so I'm happy

 

oh well, live and learn

 

Pheew - I'm glad that went OK - I feared a small flame-war starting off there

Yeah, right !!! :P