common MS Outlook inbox on a 4node home network

[dxpaap]

I was wondering how I get all 4 PC running MS outlook (over my home network - using a router to share a cable modem connection to the internet) to share the same inbox/outbox ?

Right now, each PC can get the same incoming mail from the isp, but when looking for mail sent, I have to remember from which PC the message was sent. Plus have to clean up 4 mail inboxes - pain in the junk email !

I'd like to have each PC use the same inbox. I know it can be done - just dont know how to do it.

thanks in advance

dave

 

[exx1976]

Yes, it can be done -- with Exchange Server.

 

[TheToOTaLL]

Before I had an Exchange server here @ home, I was in your same predicament. My solution?? Setup a PST to be located on a central PC, and setup each PC I want to access it from to look at that location.

For instance, PC1 would have a share, Data, which would house your PST file. For PC2, PC3, etc, just create a profile without setting up any accounts, open it, and go to the Properties | Advanced for the Personal Folder and go to the folder the PST is located. Then, close Outlook and delete the PST. Reopen Outlook, and it won't be able to find your PST file, at which you browse to \\PC1\Data\outlook.pst and select it as the PST file you wish to use (NOTE: the only caveat is that you can only have Outlook open on one PC as a time, as you'll get an error because the PST is open). Once you have Outlook open with your PST, create your mail account, and you're ready to rock!

 

[tart666]

Originally posted by: exx1976
Yes, it can be done -- with Exchange Server.

or with IMAP... much cheaper, too

 

[dxpaap]

TheToOTaLL, thanks for the help - thats what I was looking for Although, didn't realize only one system could have Outlook open at a time :-(

tart666, whats IMAP? - got an url so that I can look into to it a little more

thanks

 

[exx1976]

Yes, IMAP can be used, but most ISP's don't support it (Hotmail and the like do, but...) I know the ISP I have only supports POP3 (I don't use it anyway, so it doesn't matter)...

I like the centralized PST idea.. Nice!

 

[suklee]

Check out Public Outlook from OutlookStore.com. It sounds like it may fit your needs... does something similar to what was suggested above.

 

[Nothinman]

Setting up a local IMAP server isn't that hard and it opens up a whole new slew of possibilities.