[alexwong89119]

Okay, here's my issue. Like a dummy, I renamed my workgroup without exporting to a backup file for my outlook 2003 working files. Now that I am in a new environment, I cannot seem to import my old email and contact information to my new profile under the new workgroup. I tried to import, but no option; I tried to copy the old files to my new directory, but no luck. I am hoping someone out there knows a bit about outlook 2003.

Thanks
Alex

[EAFiedler]

Hi alexwong89119

Welcome to Tech Support Guy Forums!

Connect the .pst file to the new Profile in Outlook 2003,
File > Open > Outlook Data File
Browse to the location of the .pst file and select/highlight the .pst file.

The Personal Folder (.pst file) should then appear in Outlook.


Let us know if that works for you or not.

[alexwong89119]

Thanks for the prompt response; however, I tried your suggestion, but it didnot seem to work. I see the file "Outlook.NK2" in the old folder and associated files, but I get an error message "The file you chose is not an Outlook Data File. You must select a new file of this type."

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Alex

[EAFiedler]

The file with the extension .NK2 is not the file that contains your messages and contacts.

You will need to locate the .pst file. If you do not know its location, do a Search for: .pst

Is this a personal computer or are you connected to an Exchange server?

[alexwong89119]

I did search for a .PST file, but it did not locate the file.

[EAFiedler]

Originally Posted by EAFiedler

Is this a personal computer or are you connected to an Exchange server?

What extension does the original working file, have?

[alexwong89119]

it's a standalone...no exchange connection. I'm using outlook 2003 to manage POP3 activities.

[EAFiedler]

Originally Posted by EAFiedler

What extension does the original working file, have?

Are you searching the entire drive?

If you undo the renaming of the Workgroup, does the file become available?

[alexwong89119]

The file extension is .NK2

Yes I did search the entire drive.

When I try to rename to the original, it did not make a difference.

[EAFiedler]

The file .NK2 is an autocomplete file.
Without the .pst file it will be useless.

Sorry, if you never made a backup of the .pst file or cloned your hard drive, I would figure it is gone.

You don't happen to have a recent System Restore point you could try?

[alexwong89119]

even with the current outlook 2003 profile working, I don't see a .PST file.

[EAFiedler]

Ah ha!

Do you have Show Hidden files and folders enabled?

For Windows XP:

• Open My Computer or Windows Explorer
  Tools > Folder Options > View tab,
  under Hidden Files and Folders, verify Show Hidden Files and Folders is selected.
  Remove the check mark for:
  Hide Extensions for known file types
  Apply, OK to save and close.

Then look in the Outlook directory again, or do another Search for .pst

[alexwong89119]

Yes, that was the first thing I did and no .PST

[EAFiedler]

Bummer!

If you right click on the current Personal Folders and select:
Properties > Advanced button
In the Filename: field, you will see the directory where the current .pst file is located

Do you see the current .pst file there?

[alexwong89119]

I can see it there, but not in a normal search mode. Why is that?