Importing pst file doesn't bring in my calendar and contacts

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jackie
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J

Jackie

When I saved my outlook 2002 files, I selected the
highest personal folder, which included mail, calendar,
contacts, tasks and notes. I saved the file as .pst file
and it's 115 meg, so it has everything. When I tried
importing it 2 months ago into a PC, the backup .pst file
went through a self-check or correct process and created
a .bak file about the same size. I moved and bought a new
PC, which has Outlook 2003, and when I try to import
the .pst file, it only brings a file folder
called "Recovered Personal Files" with a subfolder "Lost
and Found", which has 6 folders "Recovered Folder" with
my saved emails. There is no option to bring the
calendar or contacts. I have looked at how large
the "Recovered Personal Files" and they only add up to 30
megs. I know the data is there, but I don't know how to
access it. I have contacted Sony Tech Support and they
couldn't find a way, so they sent me to Microsoft.
 
What happens if you simply open the .PST file using File | Open | Outlook
Data File? You shouldn't need to import from/export to .PST files in
Outlook, since it's Outlook's native file format. To use an analogy, you
wouldn't import from a Word document into Word; you'd simply open the .doc
file in Word.

--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

*** Messages sent to my e-mail address will NOT be answered -- please
reply only to the newsgroup to preserve the message thread. ***


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I tried that and it only gives me the recovered personal
folders. No contacts or calendar.
 
In the event that I have lost my contact data, what is the fastest way to build a contact database? Is there a program that I can email a list of people for them to enter the information and then I can upload into Outlook? I'm just thinking the worst right now. Thanks for your help.
 
Try running the Inbox Repair Tool against your .PST file to see if it finds
any errors. Search your drive for a file called scanpst.exe and run it.
Make sure you allow the program to make a backup copy of your file before it
repairs anything. You can also try some of the other ideas listed at
http://www.slipstick.com/problems/scanpst.htm for recovering data

Also, just to be sure, search your hard drive and, if possible, the hard
drive from your old computer and make sure you haven't missed any .PST files
that could contain all your data in the format you originally saved it in.
These files may be located in hidden folders in Windows 2000 and XP, so make
sure you search in hidden folders.

To answer your other reply -- there are probably programs which allow you to
quickly build a contact database but I don't know what they might be
offhand. Check www.slipstick.com -- look for Contact Tools.

--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

*** Messages sent to my e-mail address will NOT be answered -- please
reply only to the newsgroup to preserve the message thread. ***


In
 
Hi Jocelyn,

I ran the scanpst.exe and it reduced the file to 23 meg. It found 18 errors and it fixed them. I still get only emails, but considering the file is now 23 meg, maybe that is all there really was even after correcting the errors. The file was 115 meg. I saved a backup, but I just noticed it's the same size as the new one. I have the old file on a CD, but I don't know if I should try to go through data recovery software or help if, after going through the scanpst.exe, it means there really was only 23 meg of data in there and not 115 meg. What do you suggest I do next?

You have been most helpful and I appreciate it very much.

Jackie
 
Other than the tips listed in the Slipstick article I sent you to, I don't
have any other ideas to offer...sorry. I guess whether or not you go
through a data recovery service will depend on how badly you need the
information you lost.

Just some advice for the future: The best way to back up your Outlook data
is to simply copy the .PST file when Outlook is closed, then if you ever
need to get back into that file, open it in Outlook using File | Open.
Never overwrite one .PST file with another, either. I know this doesn't
help you now and I'm sorry about your data loss...just hoping you can
prevent something like this from happening again.

--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

*** Messages sent to my e-mail address will NOT be answered -- please
reply only to the newsgroup to preserve the message thread. ***


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