I recently backep-up the hard drive on my laptop in anticipation of
reformatting the unit. After reformatting (using all the same software discs
that came with the laptop) I tried to open the .pst backup file for Outlook
(containing all my contacts, calendar, and emails for the last three years)
and got the following error message: "The file is not compatible with this
version of the Personal Folders Information Service." How can that be when I
am using the exact same version (same disc, remember?) of Outlook (Windows
XP, Outlook 2002) to try and open the file as was used to create it?

I doubt that.
That error message indicates your PST file was created in Outlook 2003 and
you are trying to open it in an earlier version.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"mbrown3039" wrote in message
...
I recently backep-up the hard drive on my laptop in anticipation of
reformatting the unit. After reformatting (using all the same software
discs
that came with the laptop) I tried to open the .pst backup file for
Outlook
(containing all my contacts, calendar, and emails for the last three
years)
and got the following error message: "The file is not compatible with
this
version of the Personal Folders Information Service." How can that be when
I
am using the exact same version (same disc, remember?) of Outlook (Windows
XP, Outlook 2002) to try and open the file as was used to create it?

You were absolutely right -- I had never updated Outlook 2002 to Outlook
2003, but I noticed that my post-backup Outlook did not have the same
appearance as my pre-backup Outlook. So, I upgraded (again, as it turns out;
I think the MIS from my previous coompany upgraaded me without telling me)
and have now been able to open the older .pst file. Thanks! Now, for my next
question: What is the easiest way to merge the two Outlook backup folders
(pre-laptop reformat and post-laptop reformat) so that I only have one set of
Email/Contacts/etc. folders? Mike

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

I doubt that.
That error message indicates your PST file was created in Outlook 2003 and
you are trying to open it in an earlier version.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"mbrown3039" wrote in message
...
I recently backep-up the hard drive on my laptop in anticipation of
reformatting the unit. After reformatting (using all the same software
discs
that came with the laptop) I tried to open the .pst backup file for
Outlook
(containing all my contacts, calendar, and emails for the last three
years)
and got the following error message: "The file is not compatible with
this
version of the Personal Folders Information Service." How can that be when
I
am using the exact same version (same disc, remember?) of Outlook (Windows
XP, Outlook 2002) to try and open the file as was used to create it?

Open both files in an Outlook profile. Copy what you want from one into the
other.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"mbrown3039" wrote in message
...
You were absolutely right -- I had never updated Outlook 2002 to Outlook
2003, but I noticed that my post-backup Outlook did not have the same
appearance as my pre-backup Outlook. So, I upgraded (again, as it turns
out;
I think the MIS from my previous coompany upgraaded me without telling me)
and have now been able to open the older .pst file. Thanks! Now, for my
next
question: What is the easiest way to merge the two Outlook backup folders
(pre-laptop reformat and post-laptop reformat) so that I only have one set
of
Email/Contacts/etc. folders? Mike

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

I doubt that.
That error message indicates your PST file was created in Outlook 2003
and
you are trying to open it in an earlier version.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"mbrown3039" wrote in message
...
I recently backep-up the hard drive on my laptop in anticipation of
reformatting the unit. After reformatting (using all the same software
discs
that came with the laptop) I tried to open the .pst backup file for
Outlook
(containing all my contacts, calendar, and emails for the last three
years)
and got the following error message: "The file is not compatible with
this
version of the Personal Folders Information Service." How can that be
when
I
am using the exact same version (same disc, remember?) of Outlook
(Windows
XP, Outlook 2002) to try and open the file as was used to create it?