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Outlook data file question for your IT guys.

Cyclonesrule91

Cyclonesrule91

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
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Last week my computer was giving me fits, getting hot and locking up on me, so I figured it was time to reformat it back to new. I backed up what I needed, including the outlook pst file that has my emails and contacts. It backed up successfully, so I reformatted it(or whatever the term is) and went to get the files I backed up. The only problem I am having.....so far...... is after reinstalling Office 2010 and trying to link the outlook to the pst file, it won't let me.

I have a wireless back up harddrive. It backed up fine but when I try and copy/paste or drag it over to my computer, it sits there for an hour or 2 and then tells me it can't do the task because the pst file is in use by another application. It says to close out of that application and retry?? I have tried all sorts of things to get past that but with no luck. I was hoping an IT guy or someone who has dealt with that before, could help me so I can get my contacts and email history back.

Thanks in advance!
 
You're trying to copy the file and not move it, right?

I know this does you no good right now but for future reference I would move to a cloud-based email/contacts system (e.g. - gmail, yahoo, outlook.com) so you don't have to worry about backing this stuff up.
 
Last edited:
Cyclonesrule91 said:
I'm trying to transfer the pst file from my backup hard drive back to my computer.
Click to expand...

Yes but are you trying to move or copy the file? If something has a handle on it and you try to move, it will fail. But, you may be able to copy it over even with something else using it.
 
I have gone to the cloud like gmail/yahoo mail except for a few sensitive communications. Thunderbird for Mozilla. The outlook is going away in windows.
 
1100011CS said:
You're trying to copy the file and not move it, right?

I know this does you no good right now but for future reference I would move to a cloud-based email/contacts system (e.g. - gmail, yahoo, outlook.com) so you don't have to worry about backing this stuff up.
Click to expand...

I was reading about the online backup of the outlook files and I am going to definitely go that route once I get my issue resolved. Would you have a suggestion on which one is best?

1100011CS said:
Yes but are you trying to move or copy the file? If something has a handle on it and you try to move, it will fail. But, you may be able to copy it over even with something else using it.
Click to expand...

Everything I have done I have gone through windows explorer. I have tried dragging the pst file from my backup harddrive over to 'My Documents/outlook' folder and I have tried to copy/paste to get it over there and get the same results each time.

cytech said:
Did you try using the import feature inside the program and point it to your old file?
Click to expand...

No I haven't tried this. Could you point me to where I can try that?
 
I believe what cytech is recommending is simply importing it directly from the backup hard disk instead of moving it back to your computer first. If you restore it straight from the backup disk you'll never need a copy on your computer, it's going to create a new one.

How big is the PST? If the file is over 4 GB it could be a disk format issue. You'll get some goofy errors if you're battling a NTSF/FAT32 problem...the errors don't seem to lineup with the actual issue. It is unlikely this is the problem if it is a true external hard disk, that usually comes up when using thumbs drives or smaller disks.
 
Importing a .PST file on outlook 2010

Click on "File"
Click On "Open"
Click on "Import"
Click on "Import from another program"
Click on "Outlook Data File (.pst)
Browse for the file and hit enter when you locate it on your wireless hard drive
 
My .pst file is around 11 gb so it's huge. Hoping the import data part works and then I'm finding a online backup after that.
 
One thing to keep in mind is that these .pst files always need read AND write access. If you look at the properties of the file and the "read-only" box is checked, Outlook can't use it. That's the reason why you could never use those files when they were burned off to a CD-ROM.

If a process is accessing the file, it can't be moved. It can be copied, however. Also, what media are you copying the file over? If it's across a network, I hope you aren't trying to move an 11GB file on a wireless network.
 
"But man, it is every message for the past fifteen years. How can I survive? It is my book of knowledge."
 
Wesley said:
"But man, it is every message for the past fifteen years. How can I survive? It is my book of knowledge."
Click to expand...

Guilty as charged. And those email are only a year old. Yes I get too many work emails and yes, I keep way too many of them. Think that is going to change.
 
Wesley said:
The outlook is going away in windows.
Click to expand...

:biglaugh:

If only there was an open source e-mail client that worked like outlook (with Exchange servers) and as good as outlook - then this might be a true statement.
 
I am pretty sure the .OST file is your actual live Outlook file. The .PST files are your personal folders. If you are working with a .PST file, copy it to your C drive. Then from Outlook, Click on File, then Open, and Open Outlook Data File. From there, you can enter the name of the .PST file.

You can always move the emails or contacts back to your main folder once you've got your personal folder open.
 
Couple Random thoughts...

Have you checked to see what your antivirus software is doing? Depending on the vendor and or system resources it could still be trying to scan the file or blocking it because of an attachment that may contain something it thinks is a virus.

Have you checked to see who has the lock on the file and cleared that connection?
 
moater said:
Importing a .PST file on outlook 2010

Click on "File"
Click On "Open"
Click on "Import"
Click on "Import from another program"
Click on "Outlook Data File (.pst)
Browse for the file and hit enter when you locate it on your wireless hard drive
Click to expand...

Tried this and get the following error message........

This file is in use.
Close the program and try again.....
 
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