Accessing a .pst file

lg123

hi all,

i have a pst file from my last job and want to access this on my home laptop. this is running on xp home edition and i have office 2000 also, incl outlook.

i dont have an email server or anything like that. i tried to use outlook which asked me for 'microsoft exchange server' and 'mailbox'. i assume these are your server name and email address, however i dont have these. it then asked me would i like to go ot the default folder location. i went there and navigated to my pst file which it didnt seem to recognise. i have tried this a few times and when i get past the default folder bit outlook always seems to crash. FYI, the pst file is ~900mb and on a portable HD.

i dont really care about outlook, all i want to do is access the pst. is outlook my only option? is there any freeware people can recommend?

thanks

Tallon

What is the file?

lg123

its an Outlook email archive file.

CiaranC

Theres a Thunderbird plugin to open them

ressem

You do not set it as a default folder. This should be set to the default "Personal Folders".

Instead, you start up Outlook, choose File \ Open \ Outlook Data File.

lg123

every time i click File outlook crashes?!?

Rackstar

Go to control panel and then click the mail icon. Create a new profile and open outlook again. Set up the new profile using a pop account (just fill in any old details it doesn't have to work). then click File - Data File Management and open the pst

ressem

I guess that Outlook was, prior to this, set up to use a home POP3 account?
And that this home laptop has never been connected to the exchange server?
Was the PST created in Outlook 2003 or higher? To work with Outlook 2000 or XP it would have to be opened in the higher version of Outlook and exported as a (97-2002) version PST.

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You could try opening Outlook in safe mode, by running
Start \ Run >Outlook.exe /safe
to see if crashes still occur.

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Failing that, clear out the incorrect exchange setup.

Create a backup of the Outlook PST.

Right click on the Outlook icon on the desktop.
Choose properties.

From here you'll need to correct the Outlook settings.
Under "e- mail accounts"
Remove any account entry for MS exchange.
Mail needs to be delivered to the personal folder.

lg123

CiaranC wrote: »

Theres a Thunderbird plugin to open them

do you know which one it is?

BNC

Try here...;)

Capt'n Midnight

use your existing copy of out look to create an empty PST (office 97 compatible)

make a system restore point - you may need it
Download the 60 day trial version of micosoft office 2007
install only outlook and open both pst's and move the stuff from the new one to the office 2000 one
uninstal office 2007

if outlook is still flaky after doing a reinstall of it then system restore back to where you started


am a bit concerned that it is looking for exchange server
If it is an OST file you will need to find a tool that can convert OST to PST first

Capt'n Midnight

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_.pst_files
looks like you either need outlook or use shareware or only 97-2002 format files
readpst is mentioned and it can't read 2003 or later

extra-ordinary_

Your PST file is probably post 2002 which is why Outlook 2000 is having problems with it. If you know someone with Outlook 2003/07 you could open the PST file on that PC and then copy the data into newly created old type PST file so that you can use it on your own 2000 installation.

ressem

I am guessing that he created the exchange account in Outlook while trying to open the PST the first time round. Which is why i suggested removing it, and that is the reason for Outlook crashing before he even gets to import the PST.