[Sasquatch]

I'm setting up a new(er) PC and migrating my software and files from the old (PC1) to the new one (PC2). Both have Outlook 2003 on them. Both are running XP Home SP2.

Last night I copied all of the *.pst files (Outlook.pst, Contacts.pst, Archive.pst, etc) from the PC1 folder to the equivalent folder on PC2. When I opened up OL2003 on PC2 this morning it read my full Outlook.pst files with the standard Inbox and whatever folders I haven't yet set up as archive folders. It did not read my Contact folders (have two separate ones - personal and work) and it did not show any of my archive folders that do show on the folder tree on PC1.

I have spent endless time today attempting to import these various folders in every way I can think of and "... 'nuttin' works..." from an import perspective. I've got full access to both HDD's, etc, (PC's sitting here on my desk).

The supposed process is (from PC2) to highlight "Personal Folders", then File/Import and Export/Import from another program or file/Next/Personal Folder File (.pst)/(Browse to Outlook folder on PC1)/Contacts_C.pst/(choose 'Replace duplicates..."/Next/... and then it gives you the choice "Choose folder to import 'from', yet it shows you the new folder "Contacts_C" as a new folder on the Personal Folder tree on PC2...????... /Import, blah, blah.../Finish. It appears to do its magic, but...

When you then open a new email and click on "To:" to address it, you get a box popping up that says:

"The address could not be displayed. The Contacts folder associated with this address could not be opened; it may have been moved or deleted, or you do not have permissions. For information on how to remove this folder from the Outlook Address book, see Microsoft Office Outlook Help."

Now that makes all the sense in the world! I don't want to remove the dang folder, I'm wanting to import the friggin' thing! Why does MS always want to be difficult???

Argghhhh.....

Would greatly appreciate it if someone could walk me through what should be a simple process. What am I missing?

Also, why do I have two full sets of 'Personal Folders' that are duplicates of each other?

And what do I need to do in order to import my archive folders so that they show on the folder tree below the "normal" ones? I used to have my OL2003 work laptop set up so that every main folder but my inbox was an archive so that I never went over the maximum allowed size.

Any assistance will be appreciated. I'm tired and have a ton of work to get done.

Thanks!

[Sasquatch]

Any potential help out there? Or did I post this in the wrong forum?

Thanks.

[Sasquatch]

Did I write up the question in a manner that's hard to understand, or doesn't anyone know how to manipulate Outlook 2003? If not, any ideas where to look? I'm searching MS databases and their answers don't seem to work, thus far anyway.

I'm at the point where I'm thinking maybe I should try to reinstall OL2003. Does that sound right?

Thanks.

[Sasquatch]

OK, figured out the 'Contacts' issues, I think.

Still have these two to figure out:

1. Also, why do I have two full sets of 'Personal Folders' that are duplicates of each other?

And...

2. What do I need to do in order to import my archive folders so that they show on the folder tree below the "normal" ones? I used to have my OL2003 work laptop set up so that every main folder but my inbox was an archive so that I never went over the maximum allowed size.

Anyone?

Thanks.

[EAFiedler]

Hi Sasquatch

This program is for clearing out duplicate Personal Folders:
http://www.codetwo.com/freeware/pst-ghostbuster/

What do you mean by "Normal"? Do you have a Personal Folder labeled: Archive?

Perhaps posting a screen shot would make it easier to explain?

[Sasquatch]

Originally Posted by EAFiedler

Hi Sasquatch

This program is for clearing out duplicate Personal Folders:
http://www.codetwo.com/freeware/pst-ghostbuster/

What do you mean by "Normal"? Do you have a Personal Folder labeled: Archive?

Perhaps posting a screen shot would make it easier to explain?

See the attached screen shot. At the top and bottom are listed "Personal Folders", with different icons in front of each listing. They are exact duplicates of each other and list all of my 'non-archive' folders, including the standard ones like Inbox, Deleted, Draft, Outbox, Sent, etc... along with personal folders I have set up. My archived folders are now shown separately at the bottom since I figured out how to get them to show on the list as of this morning (so question #3 is solved).

I should mention that I can't just delete the bottom list as a 'duplicate' since deletion of any folder also deletes it in the top "Personal Folders" listing. Thus, it is a "ghost image" of the folder list as mentioned in the program you linked to. I'll try that.

Thanks.

[EAFiedler]

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

2. What do I need to do in order to import my archive folders so that they show on the folder tree below the "normal" ones? I used to have my OL2003 work laptop set up so that every main folder but my inbox was an archive so that I never went over the maximum allowed size.
Thanks.

This is what I was referring to when I asked about "Normal".

From your screen shot all folders look correct.

[Sasquatch]

Originally Posted by EAFiedler

This is what I was referring to when I asked about "Normal".

From your screen shot all folders look correct.

From my last post above I noted "My archived folders are now shown separately at the bottom since I figured out how to get them to show on the list as of this morning (so question #3 is solved)."

What doesn't appear to be correct is the exact duplication of the "Personal Folders" folder tree. It isn't like that on my older PC (PC1), and the listings under "Favorite Folders" isn't duplicated either. The ones that say "xxxxx in Personal Folders" aren't there on PC1 installation, only on the new one on PC2. Do you understand what I'm talking about?

Thanks.

[EAFiedler]

The top Personal Folders is set as the Default Delivery Location, this is where all your mail is delivered.
My Default Personal Folders has the same Outlook Today icon and the rest of my Personal Folders have a different icon.


No, not exactly clear on what you are saying.
Are you saying the second Personal Folders is a duplicate or it isn't?
Did you run the Pst-Ghostbuster program?

Set up the Favorite Folders section to your preference, add or delete the folders, you want readily accessible, in that section.


Are we getting closer to being on the same page?

[Sasquatch]

I just ran the 'Ghost' program and it did find a problem in my OL Profile. When I clicked on the 'Repair' button, it did its magic and 'poof', the 'ghost' Personal Folders at the bottom of the list, and the four "xxxx in Personal Folders" showing in the Favorites list all disappeared with them.

Everything now appears to be showing and running the way it should be.

I think I still have some corrections to make to the Contacts folders so that my three different files show the way I want them to, and possibly need to double check the 'Rules' I have set up to make sure they're functioning. Other than that, I think I'm ready to roll.

Thanks, EAFiedler

[EAFiedler]

Do you keep your Contacts in separate Personal Folders for backup purposes?
You can create several Contacts folders in one Personal Folder and connect all of them to the Address Book.

Earlier you mentioned

"The address could not be displayed. The Contacts folder associated with this address could not be opened; it may have been moved or deleted, or you do not have permissions. For information on how to remove this folder from the Outlook Address book, see Microsoft Office Outlook Help."

Now that makes all the sense in the world! I don't want to remove the dang folder, I'm wanting to import the friggin' thing! Why does MS always want to be difficult???

Removing the Contacts folder from the Address Book merely removes the connection to the Address Book, it doesn't physically remove the Contacts folder from Outlook.

[Sasquatch]

Originally Posted by EAFiedler

Do you keep your Contacts in separate Personal Folders for backup purposes?
You can create several Contacts folders in one Personal Folder and connect all of them to the Address Book.

Earlier you mentioned
Removing the Contacts folder from the Address Book merely removes the connection to the Address Book, it doesn't physically remove the Contacts folder from Outlook.

Hi there, EAFiedler, thanks for the double-check.

No, I'm not keeping my Contacts in separate Personal Folders intentionally. That just happens to be how OL shows them based on my attempts to 'Import' them, which is apparently the wrong way to do it. The "Contacts" folder doesn't show in the Personal Folders listing, and I don't recall the procedure I figured out to get the right Contacts.pst folder to show up when addressing an email. I basically need to start from scratch here.

Suggestions are requested, again...

Thanks.

[EAFiedler]

The default view of the Personal Folders doesn't always show all the folders.

If you use the Navigation buttons located on the bottom left side, of Outlook, click the Folder icon, hovering over it should show Folder List. Click the Folder icon and all the folders contained in the Personal Folders should appear.


Or, Go > Folder List should also show all the folders.

Clicking the Contacts icon should show all the Contacts folders contained in any Personal Folders connected to Outlook.

[Sasquatch]

Originally Posted by EAFiedler

The default view of the Personal Folders doesn't always show all the folders.

If you use the Navigation buttons located on the bottom left side, of Outlook, click the Folder icon, hovering over it should show Folder List. Click the Folder icon and all the folders contained in the Personal Folders should appear.
LOL... I knew it would be something simple that I'd skimmed right by a hundred times. I never thought to click on that icon since I rarely use(d) it. How 'bout that...

Or, Go > Folder List should also show all the folders.
... duh...
Clicking the Contacts icon should show all the Contacts folders contained in any Personal Folders connected to Outlook.

OK, I had to move the two Contacts folders from below to up under the primary 'Contacts' one so at least they're all together. They didn't show automatically so I must not have them linked properly.

One is my personal list, the other is my business email list and don't want to mix them. The trick is to remember how to get them to show in the list when I want to address an email, but I've done it a couple of times and just need to document the steps before my brain goes back on hiatus.

I appreciate all your help. Any other ideas or suggestions will be highly welcomed also.

Thanks, EAFiedler.

[EAFiedler]

Right click each Contacts folder that you want to appear in the Outlook Address Book:
Properties > Outlook Address Book tab
Place a check mark in: Show this folder as an e-mail Address Book
Apply, OK to save and close.

Open the Outlook Address Book and verify the newly added Contacts folder appears in the Show Names from the: drop down field.


Having Contacts listed three times makes it difficult to distinguish which Contacts list contain the entries you are looking for. You can rename the added Contacts folders to something more descriptive.

Rename your Contacts folder, for example: Contacts_Work and Contacts_Personal
Right click the Contacts folder you want to rename:
Properties > General tab
In the Name of the Address Book: field, key in the preferred name of the Contacts folder.
Apply, OK to save and close.

*Faster*
Right click Contacts > Rename, key in the new name.

The default Contacts list name cannot be modified on the General tab. The name can be modified on the Outlook Address Book tab, but it will only appear in the Address Book's Show Names from the: drop down field and in the Contacts folder's Properties window.


*Less folder clutter*
Change the properties of the Contacts folders while in the Contacts folder view.
Go > Contacts or use the Contacts icon.



Do you need to setup any Distribution Lists?