Cannot "Open" "Import/Export' or use "Data File Management"

[Guest]

I had to reinstall Office 2003 Pro, When I finished, Outlook opened a new
..pst file. Normally I would solve this problem by using either "Open |
Outlook Data File" or "Import/Export". However, when I click on these buttons
(or "Data File Management") nothing happens.

I tried closing Outlook and renaming the Outlook1.pst (the file Outlook is
now using) to "Outlook1 blank.pst" and renaming "Outlook Backup.pst" (the
correct file) to "Outlook1.pst". The result is Outlook correctly opens the
file but I can't save any new or changed appointments. I get an error that
the file was copied or I don't have permission to alter the file."

What do I do?

Ed

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Lots of issues and mistakes here:
1. Why did you "have to reinstall Office 2003?" I can think of nothing that
would solve and a lot of problems it would create, which you are now
discovering.
2. Never ever rename an Outlook data file when Outlook is closed. Your
profile is now corrupt.
3. Do you back up your data and do you know where a good backup of your
Outlook data file is?

 

[Guest]

:

(Thanks for the fast response)

Lots of issues and mistakes here:
1. Why did you "have to reinstall Office 2003?" I can think of nothing that
would solve and a lot of problems it would create, which you are now
discovering.

Nothing I could do. Windows XP Home had become corrupt. All sorts of weird
stuff was happening (e.g., clicking on menu items had no effect). I called HP
Technical Support and they said a non-destructive backup of the O.S. would be
the only thing I could do short of a destructive re-format & reinstalof
WinXP. Is "I was just following orders" a valid defense when it comes to
computer troubleshooting?

2. Never ever rename an Outlook data file when Outlook is closed. Your
profile is now corrupt.

Yeah, I figured that one out myself. But I only tried it when I started
Outlook and tried to first Open and then Import a valid .pst file. When I
clicked on those choices I heard a clicking sound but nothing
happened/happens. That is still the case.

3. Do you back up your data and do you know where a good backup of your
Outlook data file is?

I do, thank goodness. I have a copy in the "C:\Documents and
Settings\Ed.HPLAPTOP\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook"
folder. I have a second copy on another hard drive.

So what do I do next, Russ?

Ed

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I had to reinstall Office 2003 Pro, When I finished, Outlook opened a new
.pst file. Normally I would solve this problem by using either "Open |
Outlook Data File" or "Import/Export". However, when I click on these
buttons
(or "Data File Management") nothing happens.

I tried closing Outlook and renaming the Outlook1.pst (the file Outlook is
now using) to "Outlook1 blank.pst" and renaming "Outlook Backup.pst" (the
correct file) to "Outlook1.pst". The result is Outlook correctly opens the
file but I can't save any new or changed appointments. I get an error that
the file was copied or I don't have permission to alter the file."

What do I do?

Ed

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

I would create a new Outlook profile from scratch with a unique name. As you
know it will create a brand new PST file even though you have no need for
one. You will eventually dispense with this file.
Configure this new profile with the mail accounts you want to use. Restart
Outlook.
Open your good backup file in this profile (File > Open > Outlook Data
File).
Set it as the default in File > Data File Management
Restart Outlook
Close the new file PST Outlook created with a R click > Close.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

:

(Thanks for the fast response)

Lots of issues and mistakes here:
1. Why did you "have to reinstall Office 2003?" I can think of nothing
that
would solve and a lot of problems it would create, which you are now
discovering.

Nothing I could do. Windows XP Home had become corrupt. All sorts of weird
stuff was happening (e.g., clicking on menu items had no effect). I called
HP
Technical Support and they said a non-destructive backup of the O.S. would
be
the only thing I could do short of a destructive re-format & reinstalof
WinXP. Is "I was just following orders" a valid defense when it comes to
computer troubleshooting?

2. Never ever rename an Outlook data file when Outlook is closed. Your
profile is now corrupt.

Yeah, I figured that one out myself. But I only tried it when I started
Outlook and tried to first Open and then Import a valid .pst file. When I
clicked on those choices I heard a clicking sound but nothing
happened/happens. That is still the case.

3. Do you back up your data and do you know where a good backup of your
Outlook data file is?

I do, thank goodness. I have a copy in the "C:\Documents and
Settings\Ed.HPLAPTOP\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook"
folder. I have a second copy on another hard drive.

So what do I do next, Russ?

Ed

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I had to reinstall Office 2003 Pro, When I finished, Outlook opened a
new
.pst file. Normally I would solve this problem by using either "Open |
Outlook Data File" or "Import/Export". However, when I click on these
buttons
(or "Data File Management") nothing happens.

I tried closing Outlook and renaming the Outlook1.pst (the file Outlook
is
now using) to "Outlook1 blank.pst" and renaming "Outlook Backup.pst"
(the
correct file) to "Outlook1.pst". The result is Outlook correctly opens
the
file but I can't save any new or changed appointments. I get an error
that
the file was copied or I don't have permission to alter the file."

What do I do?

Ed