Re: Problems with data files/*.pst import/Contacts

From: Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook] (russval_at_gmail.com)
Date: 03/26/05 

Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 19:26:27 -0500

Windows XP Pro is not an "upgrade" to Windows XP Home.
Installing another Windows XP version over another is never recommended and
could not possibly solve any problem you were having with Outlook. It would,
however, disrupt your already corrupt Outlook settings even further.

I can't imagine a more convoluted series of missteps to compound your
problem beyond all repair. I sincerely hope you have good backups of your
data. 

-- 
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"Mary" <Mary@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message 
news:3AE0A0D9-F59E-4AB7-B486-8E2A50BCC7F5@microsoft.com...
> Problem:  Contacts File shows up empty.  Address Book email names and
> addresses does show up properly.
>
> Background:  Previously was using Outlook 2003 Pro on Windows XP Home. 
> Had
> an increasing number of weird "buggy" problems in various applications, so
> finally decided to upgrade OS to Windows XP Pro by installing over XP Home 
> as
> an alternative to re-formatting the hard drive and/or hacking the 
> registry.
> (I'm pretty sure I was having registry issues). The new OS loaded
> successfully and I began re-installation of frequently-used software,
> including Office.
>
> Mistakenly installed Office 2003 for Students and Professionals instead of
> Office 2003 Professional.  Had tried to import the previous *.pst file 
> from
> my previous user directory, unsuccessfully.  At this point Contacts file 
> was
> blank.  After downloading some updates, I realized that I was not running
> Office 2003 Pro and so I uninstalled Office 2003 Students and Teacher
> edition, using the Control Panel.  I then installed Office 2003 
> Professional,
> as well as Service Pack 1 for Office 2003 Professional.
>
> I am still unable to see my Contacts file.  Now it appears that I cannot
> even access the portions of Outlook necessary to deal with data files,
> importing *.pst files, etc.
>
> As far as I can tell, I never wrote over the previous *.pst file.  My
> current OS installation shows my user account as "User.ComputerName"; my
> previous Documents And Settings folder still contains the previous user 
> data
> in a folder called "User".
>
> Here's a summary of what doesn't work properly (and a few things that do 
> work)
>
> 1. Contacts File: does not show any names or info, just blank spaces.
> 2. Address Book: does show previous names and email addresses.
> 3. Import/Export for *.pst file - doesn't seem to respond.
> 4. File - Data File Management - doesn't seem to respond.
> 5. File - Open - Outlook Data File - doesn't seem to respond
>
> Current OS = Windows 2003 Professional
> Current Office version = Office 2003 Professional, with SP1.  Used
> "complete" installation of all features, to run from hard disk.
>
> Possible solutions entertained, and questions:
> 1. Remove the entire Outlook Address Book Service?  How?
> 2. Remove Outlook 2003 Pro and reinstall the whole thing, including
> re-installing service packs and updates? (Oh please, not again!)
> 3. Start a new profile?  How?
> 4. Some other solution - what?
>
> Please help . I could find nothing on TechNet or in this newsgroup for 
> this
> specific problem(s).  I am at my wits' end!
> Thanks.
>

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