Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find contacts I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb) there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per a new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts, mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

Stop! Immediately. Before you do anything else wrong. You can probably still
recover, but so far you have used every known method for transferring
Outlook data incorrectly. The correct methods are well documented here and
elsewhere. When you read them you will discover:
1. You never just paste an Outlook data file into the default directory.
That usually overwrites another PST file and corrupts your profile.
2. You never import an Outlook data file. That will corrupt your profile.
3. You never try to open an Outlook data file in Windows Explorer. You only
open a data file within Outlook.
4. To transfer an Outlook data file, just open it in Outlook and set it to
be the default for your new installation.
5. Then just set the Outlook Address Book to point to that file (which was
probably the only thing you needed to do in the first place):
http://support.microsoft.com/default...Product=ol2002

Now, read the following, read the Help files, read the KB. Read anything you
can to learn about what you're doing before you just strike out on your own
and hurt yourself.
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...771141033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find contacts
I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported
this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb) there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per a
new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts,
mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

Thanks, that makes sense.

I have the original file that I moved from the Outlook directory (from the
docs and settings) so the one on the rebuilt laptop can be deleted.

Is there a way I can remove everything to do with the poor installation and
recommence from scratch the correct way? And rely on the original copy or on
the backup file, open them and then once the install is complete work out the
address book issue?
--
Thanks for your help!


"Darren H" wrote:

Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find contacts I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb) there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per a new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts, mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

Easily. If I were you, I would just create a new Outlook profile from
scratch. It will force you to create a new, empty Outlook data file when you
configure your POP account. That's OK. Let it.
Copy the Outlook data file you would like to use to a location on your hard
drive _other_ than the default location. Open this file in Outlook (File
Open Outlook Data File...) and set it to be your default data file using
the directions I've posted and restart Outlook.
If your Contacts do not appear in your Address Book view, then reset that
view using the directions I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Thanks, that makes sense.

I have the original file that I moved from the Outlook directory (from the
docs and settings) so the one on the rebuilt laptop can be deleted.

Is there a way I can remove everything to do with the poor installation
and
recommence from scratch the correct way? And rely on the original copy or
on
the backup file, open them and then once the install is complete work out
the
address book issue?
--
Thanks for your help!


"Darren H" wrote:

Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find
contacts I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported
this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb) there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per a
new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts,
mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

Ok, with you so far.

I have managed to get outlook so that it no longer refers to any of the
files from before.

I have moved the outlook data file to a new location ready to open when
required.

As yet I have not configured outlook for my pop3 mail account.

I just need to know what order to do this in for example do I create the
pop3 account first and then open the datafile, or vice versa?

And there will be two personal folders in outlook, one for the new file that
goes to generic default location and one for the folders I have opened that I
need to make default.

Can I:

1. Delete the new profile that is empty.

2. How do I make the file I opened with my original e-mails default as I
cannot find this on the MS site or any instructions and how do I guarentee
that all the mails go to these folders. Once this is complete then comes the
address book issue!

Cheers


Darren


--
Thanks for your help!


"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Stop! Immediately. Before you do anything else wrong. You can probably still
recover, but so far you have used every known method for transferring
Outlook data incorrectly. The correct methods are well documented here and
elsewhere. When you read them you will discover:
1. You never just paste an Outlook data file into the default directory.
That usually overwrites another PST file and corrupts your profile.
2. You never import an Outlook data file. That will corrupt your profile.
3. You never try to open an Outlook data file in Windows Explorer. You only
open a data file within Outlook.
4. To transfer an Outlook data file, just open it in Outlook and set it to
be the default for your new installation.
5. Then just set the Outlook Address Book to point to that file (which was
probably the only thing you needed to do in the first place):
http://support.microsoft.com/default...Product=ol2002

Now, read the following, read the Help files, read the KB. Read anything you
can to learn about what you're doing before you just strike out on your own
and hurt yourself.
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...771141033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find contacts
I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported
this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb) there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per a
new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts,
mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

I'd create the mail account first. Then open your old Oulook data file, set
it to be the default, and restart Outlook. Then you can simply close the new
PST file the new profile created automatically.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Ok, with you so far.

I have managed to get outlook so that it no longer refers to any of the
files from before.

I have moved the outlook data file to a new location ready to open when
required.

As yet I have not configured outlook for my pop3 mail account.

I just need to know what order to do this in for example do I create the
pop3 account first and then open the datafile, or vice versa?

And there will be two personal folders in outlook, one for the new file
that
goes to generic default location and one for the folders I have opened
that I
need to make default.

Can I:

1. Delete the new profile that is empty.

2. How do I make the file I opened with my original e-mails default as I
cannot find this on the MS site or any instructions and how do I guarentee
that all the mails go to these folders. Once this is complete then comes
the
address book issue!

Cheers


Darren


--
Thanks for your help!


"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Stop! Immediately. Before you do anything else wrong. You can probably
still
recover, but so far you have used every known method for transferring
Outlook data incorrectly. The correct methods are well documented here
and
elsewhere. When you read them you will discover:
1. You never just paste an Outlook data file into the default directory.
That usually overwrites another PST file and corrupts your profile.
2. You never import an Outlook data file. That will corrupt your profile.
3. You never try to open an Outlook data file in Windows Explorer. You
only
open a data file within Outlook.
4. To transfer an Outlook data file, just open it in Outlook and set it
to
be the default for your new installation.
5. Then just set the Outlook Address Book to point to that file (which
was
probably the only thing you needed to do in the first place):
http://support.microsoft.com/default...Product=ol2002

Now, read the following, read the Help files, read the KB. Read anything
you
can to learn about what you're doing before you just strike out on your
own
and hurt yourself.
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...771141033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a
providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the
rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in
the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find
contacts
I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported
this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb)
there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per a
new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts,
mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

Russ,

Thanks, I have sort of just about sorted it now. I have set up my e-mails to
go direct to my account and made it my default account.

There is still an outlook file in the default location (applications data)
do I need to get rid of this or is there any problem with this?

I set up the address book as per the instructions from office online (How to
Mark Your Contact Folder for Use with Your Address Book) and can now search
my contacts folder fine and if I type in a name in compose mail it will find
it for me no problem.

It will not when I go to open address book in compose mail find the contacts
folder by default. It has Outlook address book and then 3 contacts folders,
the 3rd of these being the one with my contacts.

I tried setting up an outlook address book via the instruction (How to
Install the Outlook Address Book Service) but this said one already existed,
I take it that this is the one that contains the 3 contact folders
underneath? Is there anything else I need to do or is that how the contact
folders in the address book works?

It has also made me query something with these address books/contacts the
following:

I have the contact folder linked to my account with approx 1000 contacts all
set up by catergories. Could I move one of these catergories (with 600) into
their own contacts folder just for them (and one that would not syncronise
with my mobile phone address book as that only holds 500).

Does that make sense?

Cheers

Darren
--
Thanks for your help!


"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Easily. If I were you, I would just create a new Outlook profile from
scratch. It will force you to create a new, empty Outlook data file when you
configure your POP account. That's OK. Let it.
Copy the Outlook data file you would like to use to a location on your hard
drive _other_ than the default location. Open this file in Outlook (File
Open Outlook Data File...) and set it to be your default data file using
the directions I've posted and restart Outlook.
If your Contacts do not appear in your Address Book view, then reset that
view using the directions I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Thanks, that makes sense.

I have the original file that I moved from the Outlook directory (from the
docs and settings) so the one on the rebuilt laptop can be deleted.

Is there a way I can remove everything to do with the poor installation
and
recommence from scratch the correct way? And rely on the original copy or
on
the backup file, open them and then once the install is complete work out
the
address book issue?
--
Thanks for your help!


"Darren H" wrote:

Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find
contacts I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported
this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb) there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per a
new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts,
mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

1. As long as you have closed the original PST file from your profile, it
does not matter whether you also delete it from your hard drive. It's your
choice.
2. You can simply delete older, invalid references to previous Contact
Folders in your Address Book he Tools E-mail accounts View or change
existing directories or address books Outlook Address Book Change…
3. You already have the Outlook Address Book Service installed. There is
nothing else you need to do.
4. Whether you use Categories or separate Contact subfolders to group your
Contacts is a matter of personal choice. Read about the differences he
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/oloabcat.htm
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Russ,

Thanks, I have sort of just about sorted it now. I have set up my e-mails
to
go direct to my account and made it my default account.

There is still an outlook file in the default location (applications data)
do I need to get rid of this or is there any problem with this?

I set up the address book as per the instructions from office online (How
to
Mark Your Contact Folder for Use with Your Address Book) and can now
search
my contacts folder fine and if I type in a name in compose mail it will
find
it for me no problem.

It will not when I go to open address book in compose mail find the
contacts
folder by default. It has Outlook address book and then 3 contacts
folders,
the 3rd of these being the one with my contacts.

I tried setting up an outlook address book via the instruction (How to
Install the Outlook Address Book Service) but this said one already
existed,
I take it that this is the one that contains the 3 contact folders
underneath? Is there anything else I need to do or is that how the contact
folders in the address book works?

It has also made me query something with these address books/contacts the
following:

I have the contact folder linked to my account with approx 1000 contacts
all
set up by catergories. Could I move one of these catergories (with 600)
into
their own contacts folder just for them (and one that would not syncronise
with my mobile phone address book as that only holds 500).

Does that make sense?

Cheers

Darren
--
Thanks for your help!


"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Easily. If I were you, I would just create a new Outlook profile from
scratch. It will force you to create a new, empty Outlook data file when
you
configure your POP account. That's OK. Let it.
Copy the Outlook data file you would like to use to a location on your
hard
drive _other_ than the default location. Open this file in Outlook (File

Open Outlook Data File...) and set it to be your default data file
using
the directions I've posted and restart Outlook.
If your Contacts do not appear in your Address Book view, then reset that
view using the directions I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Thanks, that makes sense.

I have the original file that I moved from the Outlook directory (from
the
docs and settings) so the one on the rebuilt laptop can be deleted.

Is there a way I can remove everything to do with the poor installation
and
recommence from scratch the correct way? And rely on the original copy
or
on
the backup file, open them and then once the install is complete work
out
the
address book issue?
--
Thanks for your help!


"Darren H" wrote:

Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a
providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the
rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in
the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the
tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find
contacts I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported
this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb)
there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per
a
new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts,
mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

Hi,

I am going to have to rebuild my laptop again, what is going to be the best
way or backing it up for the move and ensuring it is moved safely again?

Prior to this I want to set up contacts groups? Under the address book?

I currently appear to have two, one that is sorted and I am constantly
using, another which appears to have all my contacts in but not sorted or
categorised and contains some deleted ones.

Is this just a legacy old one that could be deleted? Or archived? Somehow?

Once I have resolved this I then want to move all the contacts from one
category into my new contact folder. I.e the category is rec_consultants and
I want to move this to a new address book called Recruitment for example.

I want to do this so that I can add all the consultants to my distribution
lists for them without having to select and choose between them and my other
contacts as some get clicked by mistake. Will this allow me to name check
still when I type in part of the name? Or has this been resolved previously
when we did it last time?

Unless there is an alternative where I can send a mail to a whole category
(950 contacts)?

Your advice is appreciated.

Darren
--
Thanks for your help!


"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

1. As long as you have closed the original PST file from your profile, it
does not matter whether you also delete it from your hard drive. It's your
choice.
2. You can simply delete older, invalid references to previous Contact
Folders in your Address Book he Tools E-mail accounts View or change
existing directories or address books Outlook Address Book Change…
3. You already have the Outlook Address Book Service installed. There is
nothing else you need to do.
4. Whether you use Categories or separate Contact subfolders to group your
Contacts is a matter of personal choice. Read about the differences he
http://www.slipstick.com/contacts/oloabcat.htm
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Russ,

Thanks, I have sort of just about sorted it now. I have set up my e-mails
to
go direct to my account and made it my default account.

There is still an outlook file in the default location (applications data)
do I need to get rid of this or is there any problem with this?

I set up the address book as per the instructions from office online (How
to
Mark Your Contact Folder for Use with Your Address Book) and can now
search
my contacts folder fine and if I type in a name in compose mail it will
find
it for me no problem.

It will not when I go to open address book in compose mail find the
contacts
folder by default. It has Outlook address book and then 3 contacts
folders,
the 3rd of these being the one with my contacts.

I tried setting up an outlook address book via the instruction (How to
Install the Outlook Address Book Service) but this said one already
existed,
I take it that this is the one that contains the 3 contact folders
underneath? Is there anything else I need to do or is that how the contact
folders in the address book works?

It has also made me query something with these address books/contacts the
following:

I have the contact folder linked to my account with approx 1000 contacts
all
set up by catergories. Could I move one of these catergories (with 600)
into
their own contacts folder just for them (and one that would not syncronise
with my mobile phone address book as that only holds 500).

Does that make sense?

Cheers

Darren
--
Thanks for your help!


"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Easily. If I were you, I would just create a new Outlook profile from
scratch. It will force you to create a new, empty Outlook data file when
you
configure your POP account. That's OK. Let it.
Copy the Outlook data file you would like to use to a location on your
hard
drive _other_ than the default location. Open this file in Outlook (File

Open Outlook Data File...) and set it to be your default data file
using
the directions I've posted and restart Outlook.
If your Contacts do not appear in your Address Book view, then reset that
view using the directions I posted.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Darren H" wrote in message
...
Thanks, that makes sense.

I have the original file that I moved from the Outlook directory (from
the
docs and settings) so the one on the rebuilt laptop can be deleted.

Is there a way I can remove everything to do with the poor installation
and
recommence from scratch the correct way? And rely on the original copy
or
on
the backup file, open them and then once the install is complete work
out
the
address book issue?
--
Thanks for your help!


"Darren H" wrote:

Hi,

I have just rebuilt my laptop and am running XP Pro and Office 2003.

I use outlook 2003 as my default mail client using pop3 from a
providor.

I just have an issue with the recovery of my address book and current
e-mails etc.

I will try and explain.

I copied the original file from docs&setting\user_name\application
data\.....Outlook

The file name here is Outlook.

I also have a backup file (a PST) which I copied as part of the
rebuild.

When I installed Outlook I just pasted the Outlook data file back in
the
location and opened this via Explorer by just double clicking.

This opened the file fine and I could see all the mails, all the
tasks,
calender etc. All of these appear to be working fine.

When I went to compose a mail I could not see the or find the contacts
address book. When I go into contacts and search it will not find
contacts I
know are there and cannot see.

I saved the current outlook to a new backup PST file and then imported
this
but it did not work and know if I import from my old one (over 1gb)
there
will be millions of duplicate messages as this happened last time.

What can I do? Is there a way I can clear all the details down as per
a
new
install and then start again with some way of getting all my contacts,
mails
etc into Outlook with no issues.

Please help!

Many thanks

Darren


--
Thanks for your help!

Darren H wrote:

I am going to have to rebuild my laptop again, what is going to be
the best way or backing it up for the move and ensuring it is moved
safely again?

http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

Prior to this I want to set up contacts groups?

What's a "contacts group"?

Under the address book?

No, use your COntacts folder.

I currently appear to have two, one that is sorted and I am constantly
using, another which appears to have all my contacts in but not
sorted or categorised and contains some deleted ones.

Where do you see these?

Is this just a legacy old one that could be deleted? Or archived?
Somehow?

Who knows? We can't see your screen and you're not using terms we
recognize.

Once I have resolved this I then want to move all the contacts from
one category into my new contact folder. I.e the category is
rec_consultants and I want to move this to a new address book called
Recruitment for example.

Outlook doesn't have anthing called an address book. INstead, the Outlook
Address Book is simply an interface into your Contacst folder(s) showing
those contacts that have resolved electronic addresses. You can, however,
make a "Recruitment" contacts folder and configyure it to display in the
Address Book interface.

I want to do this so that I can add all the consultants to my
distribution lists for them without having to select and choose
between them and my other contacts as some get clicked by mistake.
Will this allow me to name check still when I type in part of the
name? Or has this been resolved previously when we did it last time?

I'm not sure what you mean here.

Unless there is an alternative where I can send a mail to a whole
category (950 contacts)?

Open your Contacts folder, display it in the By Category view, select the
category you want, and click ActionsNew Message to Contact. Alternately,
you can put the contacts in their own folder and then use Mail Merge to send
the same message to each address in that folder.
--
Brian Tillman