Fixing a pst file

[Toko]

I need some help fixing a pst file for a customer.

The file is pretty big for outlook, 4.6GB. The data is really important to her as she didn't believe in backups and alot of her work is saved there.

The standard office tool, scanpst.exe doesnt work.

I found something that looks like it might work: Kernel outlook pst repair but it's not free and I'd rather not buy software over the net unless I absolutely have to.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[mic_y]

toko, I think I know what your problem is. What version of outlook is the client using? There is a limit to the size of PST files in 2003, and possibly 2007, though I have never run into these issues in 2007. When a client did run into that problem in 2003, I had to use a tool to delete some emails without opening up outlook. Not saying that this is the case with you, but, look into it.

 

[feo]

Using the Inbox Repair Tool
To fix corrupted PST files, you can use the Inbox Repair Tool. However, the tool isn’t always able to repair every PST file. It works by repairing the PST file’s header and then deleting anything in the file that it doesn’t understand. So if a PST file’s header is damaged, as may be the case for corruption that occurs during a version upgrade, the tool should have no trouble making the repair. But if the data within the file is corrupt, the Inbox Repair Tool will likely destroy what’s left of the file. That's why it's always good to make a backup of the PST file before running the Inbox Repair Tool.

The Inbox Repair Tool is located in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033\NT directory of any system that’s running Windows 2000 or Windows XP. The tool’s filename is Scanpst.exe. Other versions of Windows also include the Inbox Repair Tool, but the tool’s location varies among these earlier versions.

Using the Oversized PST And OST Crop Utility
Another possible cause of corruption is that a PST file has a 2-GB size limit. Once this limit is exceeded, corruption occurs instantly. You can’t initially fix this problem with the Inbox Repair Tool. Instead, you’ll have to use the Oversized PST And OST Crop Utility first, and then follow up with the Inbox Repair Tool. The crop utility works by deleting about 25 MB of data from the file to bring the file back within specs. Use this tool as a last resort, because you can't control what data you lose when using it.

Because of its destructive nature, the tool is unavailable for download. You can only acquire the tool by calling Microsoft’s Product Support Service line at 800-936-4900. Microsoft charges about $200 for calls to this number, and when you call, an operator will ask you for a credit card number. According to numerous sources, if you explain to the operator that you just need a copy of the Oversized PST And OST Crop Utility, but don't need help using the tool, you can get the tool without being billed. You can get more detailed information from Microsoft by reading these Knowledge Base articles: Q197315 and Q296088.

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1052339.html

 

[Friggs]

Doesn't really help using the Oversized PST crop tool, I tried it, got a pst file down to less than 2GB and scanpst still gave up in stage 4. Also, you have no idea what it's deleting, you tell it how much you need it to reduce by and it just deletes, no specifying so you may end up deleting the really important stuff.
Toko, just remember to make copies of the pst and run any apps you find on the copies and not the original as some apps may damage the pst further. I had to recover a clients pst file recently and managed to get the mail back by using "RecoveryToolboxForOutlook" but afaik the boss bought it (via the site). It split the recovered pst into 3 1GB files.

 

[Toko]

Thanx for the response, got it working