Import old mail to Outlook without the .pst file?

Hi,

I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation, but I don't
have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
settings\username\application data
microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.

How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them to outlook
and it's very important.

Thanks in advance,
John

On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
<JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation, but I don't
>have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
>settings\username\application data
>microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
>
>How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them to outlook
>and it's very important.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>John
What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a pst
or ost extension to import.

JohnA <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation, but
> I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
> settings\username\application data
> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
>
> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them to
> outlook and it's very important.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> John

Make sure you're looking at hidden & system files & folders, and don't hide
file extensions. If you don't have a PST file, you have nothing to import.

Also - once you find it, do not import. Instead, open the PST file in
Outlook (file | open) once you've got your mail profile setup with the
Exchange mailbox in it. Then select/copy/paste from the PST to the mailbox.
Then close the PST file, and don't use them again on your network-
everything belongs in Exchange. No autoarchive, either, if you value your
data.

If that doesn't help, you'll need to post back - your original message is a
bit light on detail, as to your situation/configuration and what you're
trying to do, and why.

Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation, but
>> I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
>> settings\username\application data
>> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
>>
>> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them to
>> outlook and it's very important.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> John
> What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a pst
> or ost extension to import.

NB: An OST file won't do you any good if it's orphaned, unless you want to
pay an obscene sum to a company to convert it for you. :)

On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:42:20 -0500, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:

>Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
>> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
>> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation, but
>>> I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
>>> settings\username\application data
>>> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
>>>
>>> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them to
>>> outlook and it's very important.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> John
>> What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a pst
>> or ost extension to import.
>
>NB: An OST file won't do you any good if it's orphaned, unless you want to
>pay an obscene sum to a company to convert it for you. :)
>
>
http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html

I guess LW is correct.

Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:42:20 -0500, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> <lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com>
>> wrote:
>>> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
>>> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation,
>>>> but I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
>>>> settings\username\application data
>>>> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
>>>>
>>>> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them
>>>> to outlook and it's very important.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> John
>>> What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a
>>> pst or ost extension to import.
>>
>> NB: An OST file won't do you any good if it's orphaned, unless you
>> want to pay an obscene sum to a company to convert it for you. :)
>>
>>
> http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html
>
> I guess LW is correct.

Sucks, doesn't it? They get you over quite a barrel there.

Actually, if you have .ost files in there you can get them converted to .pst
files to easily import into Outlook for a pretty good price at a company we
have used before; www.techworxs.com . Make sure you at least know the amount
of .ost files and their sizes before you call them.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> JohnA <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation, but
> > I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
> > settings\username\application data
> > microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
> >
> > How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them to
> > outlook and it's very important.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> > John
>
> Make sure you're looking at hidden & system files & folders, and don't hide
> file extensions. If you don't have a PST file, you have nothing to import.
>
> Also - once you find it, do not import. Instead, open the PST file in
> Outlook (file | open) once you've got your mail profile setup with the
> Exchange mailbox in it. Then select/copy/paste from the PST to the mailbox.
> Then close the PST file, and don't use them again on your network-
> everything belongs in Exchange. No autoarchive, either, if you value your
> data.
>
> If that doesn't help, you'll need to post back - your original message is a
> bit light on detail, as to your situation/configuration and what you're
> trying to do, and why.
>
>
>
>

Well, I tried to do many things today, but nothing worked right.
I have the .ost file (I believe that's the one with the data in it, because
of it's 600MB size) and cannot convert it to .pst to read mail.

The http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html solutions
doesn't work for outlook 2003 .ost files.

If you have any other idea, please reply... :(

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
> > On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:42:20 -0500, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> > <lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
> >>> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Hi,
> >>>>
> >>>> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation,
> >>>> but I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
> >>>> settings\username\application data
> >>>> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
> >>>>
> >>>> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them
> >>>> to outlook and it's very important.
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks in advance,
> >>>> John
> >>> What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a
> >>> pst or ost extension to import.
> >>
> >> NB: An OST file won't do you any good if it's orphaned, unless you
> >> want to pay an obscene sum to a company to convert it for you. :)
> >>
> >>
> > http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html
> >
> > I guess LW is correct.
>
> Sucks, doesn't it? They get you over quite a barrel there.
>
>
>

http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_convert..._pst_file.html

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:17:03 -0700, JohnA
<JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Well, I tried to do many things today, but nothing worked right.
>I have the .ost file (I believe that's the one with the data in it, because
>of it's 600MB size) and cannot convert it to .pst to read mail.
>
>The http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html solutions
>doesn't work for outlook 2003 .ost files.
>
>If you have any other idea, please reply... :(
>
>"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>
>> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
>> > On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:42:20 -0500, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
>> > <lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
>> >>> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> Hi,
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation,
>> >>>> but I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
>> >>>> settings\username\application data
>> >>>> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them
>> >>>> to outlook and it's very important.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Thanks in advance,
>> >>>> John
>> >>> What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a
>> >>> pst or ost extension to import.
>> >>
>> >> NB: An OST file won't do you any good if it's orphaned, unless you
>> >> want to pay an obscene sum to a company to convert it for you. :)
>> >>
>> >>
>> > http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html
>> >
>> > I guess LW is correct.
>>
>> Sucks, doesn't it? They get you over quite a barrel there.
>>
>>
>>
See what SBS support is working on
http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/default.aspx
Check your SBS with the SBS Best Practices Analyzer
http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive...A/default.aspx

:-)

After reading the "ask-leo" page, I finally found a way to restore the
user's mailbox from the .ost file.

Thank you so much for posting all of your suggestions, I appreciate it.

For one more time this community solve one more of my problems.

I'd like to mention that MS should supply for free a converter (from .ost to
..pst).
I see that maybe this is a way for 3rd party companies to earn money, but
for a small company it's just impossible to pay 600 euros for just a
conversion.

Thanks again!
John


"Jim Behning SBS MVP" wrote:

> http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_convert..._pst_file.html
>
> On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:17:03 -0700, JohnA
> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >Well, I tried to do many things today, but nothing worked right.
> >I have the .ost file (I believe that's the one with the data in it, because
> >of it's 600MB size) and cannot convert it to .pst to read mail.
> >
> >The http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html solutions
> >doesn't work for outlook 2003 .ost files.
> >
> >If you have any other idea, please reply... :(
> >
> >"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
> >
> >> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
> >> > On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:42:20 -0500, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
> >> > <lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com>
> >> >> wrote:
> >> >>> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
> >> >>> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >> >>>
> >> >>>> Hi,
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation,
> >> >>>> but I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
> >> >>>> settings\username\application data
> >> >>>> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them
> >> >>>> to outlook and it's very important.
> >> >>>>
> >> >>>> Thanks in advance,
> >> >>>> John
> >> >>> What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a
> >> >>> pst or ost extension to import.
> >> >>
> >> >> NB: An OST file won't do you any good if it's orphaned, unless you
> >> >> want to pay an obscene sum to a company to convert it for you. :)
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> > http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html
> >> >
> >> > I guess LW is correct.
> >>
> >> Sucks, doesn't it? They get you over quite a barrel there.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> See what SBS support is working on
> http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/default.aspx
> Check your SBS with the SBS Best Practices Analyzer
> http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive...A/default.aspx
>

The last thing you want is Microsoft to be a one stop shop. The last
thing they want either as various national/international groups fine
them.

On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 02:17:00 -0700, JohnA
<JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>:-)
>
>After reading the "ask-leo" page, I finally found a way to restore the
>user's mailbox from the .ost file.
>
>Thank you so much for posting all of your suggestions, I appreciate it.
>
>For one more time this community solve one more of my problems.
>
>I'd like to mention that MS should supply for free a converter (from .ost to
>.pst).
>I see that maybe this is a way for 3rd party companies to earn money, but
>for a small company it's just impossible to pay 600 euros for just a
>conversion.
>
>Thanks again!
>John
>
>
>"Jim Behning SBS MVP" wrote:
>
>> http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_convert..._pst_file.html
>>
>> On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:17:03 -0700, JohnA
>> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Well, I tried to do many things today, but nothing worked right.
>> >I have the .ost file (I believe that's the one with the data in it, because
>> >of it's 600MB size) and cannot convert it to .pst to read mail.
>> >
>> >The http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html solutions
>> >doesn't work for outlook 2003 .ost files.
>> >
>> >If you have any other idea, please reply... :(
>> >
>> >"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
>> >> > On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:42:20 -0500, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
>> >> > <lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Jim Behning SBS MVP <jimbehning@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com>
>> >> >> wrote:
>> >> >>> On Thu, 6 Mar 2008 06:46:01 -0800, JohnA
>> >> >>> <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>> >> >>>
>> >> >>>> Hi,
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> I'm trying to import the old outlook mail to a new installation,
>> >> >>>> but I don't have the .pst file, just the old "c:\documents and
>> >> >>>> settings\username\application data
>> >> >>>> microsoft\outlook" folder, with 600 MB of data in it.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> How can I do this? Please help, I can't find a way to import them
>> >> >>>> to outlook and it's very important.
>> >> >>>>
>> >> >>>> Thanks in advance,
>> >> >>>> John
>> >> >>> What is the name of the file you want to import? It has to have a
>> >> >>> pst or ost extension to import.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> NB: An OST file won't do you any good if it's orphaned, unless you
>> >> >> want to pay an obscene sum to a company to convert it for you. :)
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> > http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchang...st_to_pst.html
>> >> >
>> >> > I guess LW is correct.
>> >>
>> >> Sucks, doesn't it? They get you over quite a barrel there.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> See what SBS support is working on
>> http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/default.aspx
>> Check your SBS with the SBS Best Practices Analyzer
>> http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive...A/default.aspx
>>
See what SBS support is working on
http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/default.aspx
Check your SBS with the SBS Best Practices Analyzer
http://blogs.technet.com/sbs/archive...A/default.aspx

JohnA <JohnA@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> :-)
>
> After reading the "ask-leo" page, I finally found a way to restore the
> user's mailbox from the .ost file.
>
> Thank you so much for posting all of your suggestions, I appreciate
> it.
>
> For one more time this community solve one more of my problems.
>
> I'd like to mention that MS should supply for free a converter (from
> .ost to .pst).
> I see that maybe this is a way for 3rd party companies to earn money,
> but for a small company it's just impossible to pay 600 euros for
> just a conversion.
>
> Thanks again!
> John

That's why companies should never let themselves get into a situation where
this is necessary - it's entirely avoidable. Your OST files are simply not
meant for this purpose. They're dynamically created 'mirrors' of a mailbox -
you do restores on your *server*, not your workstations!