I've recently changed computers and was attempting to use the import/export
feature to transfer my Outlook 2003 info to the new computer. When I try to
import into the new outlook I get an error message telling me that the file
is not a .pst personal folders file. But it is. Before attempting the import
I had done all the Microsoft updates.

Importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.
PST files are Outlook's native file format. Just open them.
If you can't open it, then you will have to provide information on how you
created and transferred the file. Whatever you did made it inaccessible.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"jennymcw" wrote in message
...
I've recently changed computers and was attempting to use the
import/export
feature to transfer my Outlook 2003 info to the new computer. When I try
to
import into the new outlook I get an error message telling me that the
file
is not a .pst personal folders file. But it is. Before attempting the
import
I had done all the Microsoft updates.

Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported to a
..pst folder on my desktop then I uploaded the folder to a web based file
sharing site. I then downloaded to the new computer & have attempted to both
import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.
PST files are Outlook's native file format. Just open them.
If you can't open it, then you will have to provide information on how you
created and transferred the file. Whatever you did made it inaccessible.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"jennymcw" wrote in message
...
I've recently changed computers and was attempting to use the
import/export
feature to transfer my Outlook 2003 info to the new computer. When I try
to
import into the new outlook I get an error message telling me that the
file
is not a .pst personal folders file. But it is. Before attempting the
import
I had done all the Microsoft updates.

I'm having a similar problem, made worse (for me) because I'm used to the Mac
world (i.e., plug it in & it works).

1. Bought laptop with XP Home, Office 2002, used for a couple of months
2. Backed up Outlook data to .pst file
3. Upgraded opsys to XP Pro
4. Installed Office Pro
5. Cannot open Outlook successfully, cannot load data from the .pst file
(import, restore, or otherwise). Help refers to menu options that aren't
there or don't work.

Sigh, argh, help?
-----------------------------
"jennymcw" wrote:

Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported to a
.pst folder on my desktop then I uploaded the folder to a web based file
sharing site. I then downloaded to the new computer & have attempted to both
import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.
PST files are Outlook's native file format. Just open them.
If you can't open it, then you will have to provide information on how you
created and transferred the file. Whatever you did made it inaccessible.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"jennymcw" wrote in message
...
I've recently changed computers and was attempting to use the
import/export
feature to transfer my Outlook 2003 info to the new computer. When I try
to
import into the new outlook I get an error message telling me that the
file
is not a .pst personal folders file. But it is. Before attempting the
import
I had done all the Microsoft updates.

Did you upload this file before you closed Outlook?
If so, it is corrupt.
Exporting is an equally poor choice for creating PST files, for this and
other reasons.
You should exit Outlook completely, then simply copy or upload the PST file.
To see if you file can be salvaged, make sure it does not have a read only
attribute and try running the Inbox Repair Tool against it.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"jennymcw" wrote in message
...
Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported to a
.pst folder on my desktop then I uploaded the folder to a web based file
sharing site. I then downloaded to the new computer & have attempted to
both
import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.
PST files are Outlook's native file format. Just open them.
If you can't open it, then you will have to provide information on how
you
created and transferred the file. Whatever you did made it inaccessible.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"jennymcw" wrote in message
...
I've recently changed computers and was attempting to use the
import/export
feature to transfer my Outlook 2003 info to the new computer. When I
try
to
import into the new outlook I get an error message telling me that the
file
is not a .pst personal folders file. But it is. Before attempting the
import
I had done all the Microsoft updates.

How did you "back up" this file?
How are you trying to open it and what happens when you try? Provide
specific error messages.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Julie B Aventura" wrote in
message ...
I'm having a similar problem, made worse (for me) because I'm used to the
Mac
world (i.e., plug it in & it works).

1. Bought laptop with XP Home, Office 2002, used for a couple of months
2. Backed up Outlook data to .pst file
3. Upgraded opsys to XP Pro
4. Installed Office Pro
5. Cannot open Outlook successfully, cannot load data from the .pst file
(import, restore, or otherwise). Help refers to menu options that aren't
there or don't work.

Sigh, argh, help?
-----------------------------
"jennymcw" wrote:

Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported to
a
.pst folder on my desktop then I uploaded the folder to a web based file
sharing site. I then downloaded to the new computer & have attempted to
both
import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Importing is never the correct way to transfer Outlook data.
PST files are Outlook's native file format. Just open them.
If you can't open it, then you will have to provide information on how
you
created and transferred the file. Whatever you did made it
inaccessible.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"jennymcw" wrote in message
...
I've recently changed computers and was attempting to use the
import/export
feature to transfer my Outlook 2003 info to the new computer. When I
try
to
import into the new outlook I get an error message telling me that
the
file
is not a .pst personal folders file. But it is. Before attempting the
import
I had done all the Microsoft updates.

jennymcw wrote:

Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported
to a .pst folder on my desktop

No need to ever export to a PST. Just use the orignal PST.

then I uploaded the folder to a web based file sharing site.

Was Outlook closed when you did?

I then downloaded to the new computer & have
attempted to both import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

And what happens? Any error messages? What version of Outlook?
--
Brian Tillman

Yes Outlook was closed. I thought of this & went back to the old computer to
make sure that outlook was closed. I get the error message "the file *.pst is
not a personal folders file.

"Brian Tillman" wrote:

jennymcw wrote:

Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported
to a .pst folder on my desktop

No need to ever export to a PST. Just use the orignal PST.

then I uploaded the folder to a web based file sharing site.

Was Outlook closed when you did?

I then downloaded to the new computer & have
attempted to both import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

And what happens? Any error messages? What version of Outlook?
--
Brian Tillman

Both computers are using 2003.

"jennymcw" wrote:

Yes Outlook was closed. I thought of this & went back to the old computer to
make sure that outlook was closed. I get the error message "the file *.pst is
not a personal folders file.

"Brian Tillman" wrote:

jennymcw wrote:

Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported
to a .pst folder on my desktop

No need to ever export to a PST. Just use the orignal PST.

then I uploaded the folder to a web based file sharing site.

Was Outlook closed when you did?

I then downloaded to the new computer & have
attempted to both import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

And what happens? Any error messages? What version of Outlook?
--
Brian Tillman

Try what I mentioned already and report back.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"jennymcw" wrote in message
...
Both computers are using 2003.

"jennymcw" wrote:

Yes Outlook was closed. I thought of this & went back to the old computer
to
make sure that outlook was closed. I get the error message "the file
*.pst is
not a personal folders file.

"Brian Tillman" wrote:

jennymcw wrote:

Oh. I didn't know. That's how I transferred last time. Ok. I exported
to a .pst folder on my desktop

No need to ever export to a PST. Just use the orignal PST.

then I uploaded the folder to a web based file sharing site.

Was Outlook closed when you did?

I then downloaded to the new computer & have
attempted to both import & I've used the fileopenoutlook data file.

And what happens? Any error messages? What version of Outlook?
--
Brian Tillman