Outlook won't start.

[Robert]

I deleted my Outlook.pst file and Outlook won't start any more. Don't
worry I have a backup of my pst file. I just wanted to re-import it in
Outlook rather than copy in the appropriate folder; so I rebuild the
Outlook settings. But Outlook keeps giving me the following error
message on start-up.

Unable to open your default e-mail folders. The file C:\Documents and
Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.pst could not be found.

Outlook is just playing hard to get. MS could have coded Outlook to
recreate PST folder or re-import it. It's an obvious redundancy
measure.

Please let me know if you have useful suggestions on figuring out
Outlook absurdities like this scenario; I am looking for suggestions
that do not include the caddy responses like copy the backup pst into
the folder. My objective revolves around re-creating Outlook settings
from scratch. Outlook has me frustration this entire week since it has
presented me with MANY of its misgivings. Suggestions to tame Outlook
would help as well. My main concern relate to syncing Outlook on
multiple computer and Palms without Exhange Server.

Troubleshooting Tasks already completed

Run virus and spyware scan
Run scandisk and defrag
Repair the PST file with scanpst
Repair Office 2003
Start Outlook 2003 in safe mode (press CTRL on startup)
Restart WIndows XP SP2.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Why do you want to import it instead of restoring it?
Anyway, you can create a new pst-file by going to Control Panel-> Mail->
button Data Files...

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
www.howto-outlook.com

Tips of the month:
-What do the Outlook Icons Mean?
-Create an Office 2003 CD slipstreamed with Service Pack 1

 

[Brian Tillman]

I deleted my Outlook.pst file and Outlook won't start any more. Don't
worry I have a backup of my pst file. I just wanted to re-import it in
Outlook rather than copy in the appropriate folder; so I rebuild the
Outlook settings. But Outlook keeps giving me the following error
message on start-up.

First, don't import a PST, ever. There is no need, since PSTs are Outlook's
native file format, and you can get data loss or change if you import.

Unable to open your default e-mail folders. The file C:\Documents and
Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.pst could not be found.

Use Control Panel's Mail applet to modify your profile to use your existing
PST (the one you saved) rather than the one it's trying to find. You should
NEVER delete a PST that is referenced in an active profile.

 

[Robert]

Thanks Randy. Your suggestion worked and allow me to resolve the
duplicate Personal Folder listing in the quick task pane.