Outlook .pst

Dolby

Dolby

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Hi,

I helped my brother install a new HDD and remove his old drive last night. All was good - except I forgot to export/backup his old email on that drive :/

I've got the drive in my hand and also an empty external case - so I can place it in there and use it as an external. Is there someway to get his mail that way?

My other alternative is open the case, replace the new with the old, backup and then switch again - quite a mission :(

Please tell me I can get his old email via an external drive?
 
You should be able to move the .PST to the new drive (use search -> *.pst), then in the fresh Outlook, go to the data folders and import it - not sure which version you're running Dolby.

In Outlook 2007, click on Tools, then Account Settings..., then click the Data Files tab and import/setup the to point to the folder.
 
Yeah, you need to view hidden files and folders then search for *.pst. Should come up with Outlook.pst in C:\Documents and settings\<persons login name>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
 
Thanks ...

I've done a search *.pst, but nothing is found :/ That's actuallyt what I was hoping to do - but it won't find it. He was using Outlook Express and now Outlook 2003
 
Nop .dbx either :/

I'm delaying putting this drive into the PC as much as possible ;)
 
What was the old PCs OS?

If XP, look in <DRIVE LETTER:>\Documents and Settings\<USER NAME>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{xxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxxxx}\Microsoft\Outlook Express\
 
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The Outlook.pst is usually in:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

By the way, you can also install the original drive into the machine as a slave. This is often easier. :p

You probably don't have to search, just go there! Remember that if you search you must search ALL folders. Windows sometimes likes to search only Document files.

Once you find the pst file I would recommend you change its name to Username.pst and copy it into the My Documents folder. It's easier to backup that way. :D

If you have OL2007 you will also need the customised toolbars. These are *.qat. Just copy them to the same place on the new drive. Also signiatures are located at C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\signiatures ;)
 
Was the data file (*.dbx or *.pst) possibly held on another partition or location on the HDD or on another HDD on the same system - many people don't use the default location as it's a b1tch to find - I have mine in a folder on drive D titled D:\Exchange, for example...

Do you know which version of Outlook Express was being used? Version 6?
 
BTW - when searching for Outlook express (dbx) files, make sure you got Hidden and system files selected in advanced options.
 
Thank for all the help! The Vodacom network seemed to go down in the middle of theis converstion, so I couldn't reply.

He used Outlook Express 6 and is now using Outlook 2003. I've found the 'dbx' files (no idea why search didn't pick em up ...) and copied over to the new PC. I tried importing but get this message "No messages can be found in this folder or another application is running
that has the required files open. Please select another folder or try
closing applications that may have files open."

Google gave a few fixes (get rid of the Read Only attribute etc) but nothing worked for me.

I gave up :(

But thanks for the help in finding them and getting them over ;)
 
I had some problems with pst files importing recently,So we both have problems.I can see all my mail,just the accounts dont work anymore..no biggy
 
How big are the dbx files? Also - did he use folders in his mailbox?
 
Do you know a very nice application Advanced Outlook Repair. It is a powerful tool to recover messages, folders and other objects from corrupt or damaged Microsoft Outlook PST files.
 
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Do you know a very nice application Advanced Outlook Repair. It is a powerful tool to recover messages, folders and other objects from corrupt or damaged Microsoft Outlook PST files.

Dolby said:
Hi,

I helped my brother install a new HDD and remove his old drive last night. All was good - except I forgot to export/backup his old email on that drive :/

I've got the drive in my hand and also an empty external case - so I can place it in there and use it as an external. Is there someway to get his mail that way?

My other alternative is open the case, replace the new with the old, backup and then switch again - quite a mission :(

Please tell me I can get his old email via an external drive?
Click to expand...
 
Firstly, it would have been so much easier to use an app like paragon partition manager or even norton ghost to just clone the original drive to the new one.

But anyway whats done is done... the reason you are not finding the correct pst or dbx file is because it is an ntfs drive. You need to take ownership of the files under your brothers profile on the original drive. The ntfs is preventing you from seeing the data under his profile. Google taking ownership for ntfs ....

or read this ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

hope that helps...
 
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