tlz

I will shortly be inputting address data into my desktop's Outlook 2002 for use in my new Dell PDA. After doing that, how would I backup that information on a second computer at home or at work for Outlook use in those machines (all use Outlook 2002)? If I input work address on the work computer, could I take the info home (presumably a file) and put it into a folder, etc. on the home machine (and ultimately the PDA) without fowling the personal information already input at home? :rolling:

jda5id

Outlook stores most of its information in a .PST file that is typically stored in your user profile directory. You can do a search on *.PST to find it. It is possible to copy this file and move it to another machine so that you can access the same information there. It is also possible to have more than one PST file open simultaneously in Outlook (select menu File...Open...Outlook Data File).

Instead of copying the PST file, it is also possible to export the data out of Outlook in one place and then reimport it into your other machine. You would export into a flat text file and then Outlook will let you import it into contacts on the other machine. This can sometimes be a pain in the a** if you have lots of overlapping entries which I why I typically prefer to just copy the whole .PST file. Go into Outlook help and look up Export and Import for this process.

A couple things to note if you go the .PST route...

- The .PST file can be pretty big so you will likely have to burn it onto a CD. If you do, note that when you transfer it to the new computer it may have had its File Attributes changed to "Read Only" as part of the CD burning process. You will need to make sure that it is not Read Only once it is copied onto the new system or Outlook will not be able to open it (you can check this by right clicking on the file in explorer and selecting Properties). This has tripped me up a couple of times.

- You can have multiple data files open in Outlook but only one will be considered the Default for mail delivery, etc.

- Be careful that you don't start entering information in both places. You will only be able to copy the .PST files from one place to another, there is no way to "synchronize" them and resolve conflicts or missing data

- Your work computer, although it may be using Outlook, may be hooked into a Microsoft Exchange server. I am not sure how the presence of Exchange would affect the .PST files and what information gets stored in them (versus what is kept on the server).

tlz

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

ArnonR

You should note that you can establish a partnership between your Axim and up to 2 computers
so you can sync it both with your home and work PCs and have all 3 syncronized

you only need to purchase another crade or USB Sync cable for your work computer

Arnon

surgeon

I have always had my contact info stored in Outlook. This synced to my X5 when I bought it.

I installed activesync on our work computer, established a new partnership with the X5 and now have all three synced. I don't know what would happen if someone entered data at home while I entered at work, but there haven't been any conflicts so far (running this way for about a month).

At home I usually back up the info by coping the .pst file to a CD.

Blueflies

Quote:

Originally posted by ArnonR you only need to purchase another crade or USB Sync cable for your work computer Arnon

Or you could just lug your cradle or usb cable around with you to work. That's what I do and it isn't too bad (although I only have the USB cable and not the whole cradle).

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--Blueflies
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