I backed up my .pst folder onto a DVD disc (with other data) and re-formatted my machine. I've finished re-installing everything, including an upgrade to Outlook 2003.



When importing/opening/adding my .pst file I get an error suggesting to me that the .pst file is "not a personal folders file". The file is over 80Mb, and password protected.

I tried it in my older version of Outlook 2000 and the same error. The data on the DVD backup all works; so I don't believe the data is "corrupt"...though it might be?

I have tried Outlook Inbox Repair Tool - but it too doesn't recognise the .pst file as a valid file.

Help?

Did you copy the pst files to your hard drive? You can't use it directly on the CD/DVD disk.

Also, if you didn't close Outlook when you backup the pst files, the files are very probably damaged.

G'day Kevin. Yes, it's no longer on the DVD, and the Read Only status is unticked.

Hmm, I wonder if that might be the problem. I can't recall if it was open or not to be honest. Bugger!

Cheers for the quick reply

Check if the file has "read-only" property, if yes, turn it off and try again.

If it still doesn't work, the file should be damaged and unrecoverable.

It's a very common problem..many people learned it in the hard way.