Transferring MS Outlook 2003 Files Between Two Computers

S

shamrock838

New Member
Transferring MS Outlook 2003 Files Between Two Computers:

I have an aging desktop computer (circa 1998) and a newer laptop (circa 2006). I did have MS Outlook 2003 installed on both computers.
The desktop just died but I did a full backup to an external hard drive just before this debacle. [I’m also in the process of ordering a new desktop.]
So I’d like to transfer my e-mail files (including folders, contacts, etc) from the external hard drive to the laptop.
What needs to be included and what’s the best way to do this, please, without losing anything. Thanks.

Mike
 
Google this to be sure, but i *think* that your emails are stored in Documents and settings -> User name -> Application data (hidden folder i think) -> Microsoft -> identities. Or its something pretty similar to that. There might be an extra folder in there somewhere. Just do a Google for transferring/backing up outlook 2003 emails and you'll find pleanty of good sites.
 
Why not just use Export/Import? Export everything to a .pst file, then open Outlook on the other system and Import the saved file.
 
Before my old desktop deep-sixed I (fortunately) backed up my C: and data disk to an external hard drive using the PC Backup (Version 7.2) software program which compresses all backed up files. So I don't think it's a matter of taking an outlook.pst file and copying or importing it to my laptop.
When restoring backed-up files to a different computer than that from which it was backed up, PC Backup requires that files to be restored must: (a) first be selected from the backup disk (the external HD); then (b) "imported" so that it can then (c) be restored to a pre-selected directory in the new computer (my laptop).
But ... when I did (a) and looked searched the backup HD under C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook ... there was no outlook.pst file ... just a group of tiny files: - outcmd.dat, Outlook.nk2, Outlook.xml, Outlook.src, Outlook.fav, and OutlPrint.
On my external HD I also have earlier earlier archived C:backups. In the aforementioned backup directories there were also ... no Outlook.pst files.
BTW ... I examined my laptop and checked the box for "Show Hidden Files and Folders" … and also unchecked the box for "Hide Extensions for Known File Types."
Since my laptop already has Outlook 2003 ... an Outlook.pst file does appear in the aforementioned directory. However, I hadn't used the laptop for e-mailing in a long time since I used the desktop for this. So the laptop Outlook 2003 program was practically empty of message data! However ... the resident Outlook.pst file is 2,556,928 in size! Now I don't recall the size of the desktop Outlook.pst (that I backed up to the external HD) but it sounds suspiciously similar in size. Now I'm totally confused.
To top it all off ... I tried doing an Outlook Send/Receive on the laptop and got this error message:
! Task 'pop-server.comcast.net - Receiving" reported error (0x8004210A): 'The operation timed out waiting for a response from the receiving (POP) server. If you continue to receive this message, contact your server administrator or Internet Service Provider (ISP).'
Thanks.
 
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