Outlook PST backup file woes.

[TSDible]

Ok...

I just did a clean install and made sure that I backed everything up before I did.

I backed up my outlook PST file which is nearly 250MB in size.

Now, when I open it, the inbox, sent items, contacts, etc. are all empty. What the heck?

I ran the PST repair tool and it says there are only 122 messages in it. (I had a couple of folders that transferred partially)

How is that possible? The file is still 250MB, but nothing that I can do gets me access to the mail.

I ended up reverting to a backup that was a couple of months old, but I get a LOT of email in that time.

Has anyone seen this before, or do you have any ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

[ITJunkie]

How are you accessing the old pst file? Via import? Also, did you have an archive folder you were using?

 

[Pastore]

You have to specify what pst file you want to use with your profile. Go to Mail Setup>Email Accounts>View or Change existing accounts then click "New Outlook Data File" and navigate to your pst file. voila

 

[TSDible]

No, I did not have an archive folder I was using. I simply backup my PST file occasionally.

I know how to load a PST file... I can load it just fine. All my folders are there, but nothing is in them. However, the file itself is still 250MB.

I've always used this method to backup my email and it has always worked. Something just happened this last time around, and I can't explain it.

 

[ITJunkie]

Do you have any filters on? I've seen filters do this...you only see some emails when in fact they are all really there. I forget exactly where you turn that off. Just a thought.

 

[mechBgon]

Look at your Calendar and Journal, among other things. That stuff can stack up too.

 

[TSDible]

No, there are no filters on.

Even the PST repair tool says there are only 122 messages that take up about 250k. But the file is 240MB.



The stuff is still there, I just can't get to it. It all works fine from my last backup. Something must have happened during the backup process for this PST file.

I know there must be a way that I can recover at least part of the data there. I just don't know what it is.