Here is my situation:

1. I have a computer that was connected to a Windows 2000 server.
2. The server crashed.
3. I can't open any e-mail data
4. It appears to me all of the e-mail data is stored in a .ost file only
5. I don't want to rebuild the Exchange server.
6. I'd like to convert the .OST file into a .pst file

So my questions are:

1. When a computer is connected to Exchange, does it store a copy of ALL e-mail files, folders, contacts, calendar items, etc. in a .ost file on the PC?
2. I did a google search and found several products that claim they convert .OST into .PST. Which one of these do you recommend I buy?

I have heard of Exchange Recovery software
and I found these links:
http://www.recoverytoolbox.com/osttopst.html
http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_convert_a_ost...a_pst_file.html

I'd like to find a freeware solution. Ideas?

Go here: http://www.xcopy32.com/files.php?cat=5

Scroll down to the seventh item: "Email>>OST2PST"

Thanks but that link says it only works for Outlook 2002 files.
Thomasitsolutions.com has a blank website so there is nothing to download to convert Outlook 2003 OST files to PST.

What do I do now?

Okay,

Here's what I've found:

NucleusTechnologies.com
www.converttoost.com
recoverytoolbox.com
oemailrecovery.com
http://www.newfreedownloads.com/Windows-Ut...y-Software.html
http://officerecovery.com/exchange/http://...px?docid=340238

this seems to be a free ost to pst download file:
http://www.windowsreference.com/ms-office/...at-for-outlook/

Does it work? Is it safe?

Microsoft's official viewpoint is OST is a replica and CANNOT be restored.
Third party tools are the only option.

SO....Geeks, I need your help. I don't mind paying a little bit of money, but what product is best if there isn't any safe freeware?

I found this interesting advice on Exchange blog:

http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchange/2003...ost_to_pst.html

Have successfully managed to convert an Outlook 2003 OST file to a PST file that can be read in Outlook 2002 or 2003. This is the method that worked for me:
1. Backup ost file(s)
2. Rename outlook.ost to outlook.pst
3. Use scanpst.exe from Outlook 2002 (in C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\1033) to repair outlook.pst
(You can always copy scanpst.exe from an alternative installation, include MAPI32.DLL and GAPI32.DLL)
4. Rename outlook.pst back to outlook.ost
5. Run OST2PST which will then convert the file successfully to outlook.pst
6. Outlook can then open the outlook.pst file

This method has converted 2 files both of approx 400Mb.

This process essentially converts an Outlook 2003 file into a 2003 file and "repairs" it to get into a 2002 file. Then you run freeware OST2PST to get it converted an open the 2002 .PST file in Outlook 2003 which is backwards compatible.

I just want a freeware process that will safely convert outlook 2003 .OST files into .PST.

This post has been edited by Peter Mac: Feb 25 2008, 07:40 PM

I've just used the tool available at http://www.windowsreference.com/ms-office/...ok/#comment-223, and it's worked a charm. Compared with Office Recovery, which asks nearly $500 for exactly the same thing, this is a great tool. I've read the recovered file, and am importing it right now, and it seems to have done the job perfectly.

I gathered from everything I've read that the tool you downloaded was designed for Office xp (2002) not Office 2003. Are you sure it worked properly?

Sorry...should have read more thoroughly and responded more clearly. I'm using Office XP, and it works fine there. I was just so glad to find any tool that would do the job....

That's my point. There isn't ANY tool I can find that works for Office 2003 unless you pay.

It seems to me that you have to "repair" an Office 2003 OST file to trick Outlook into thinking it's an Office 2002 file and then run ost2pst.exe to convert it
Then you have to use Outlook to convert it back to a 2003 file.

We have found a new OST Recovery Software from Recover Data through GOOGLE....

You Can Try Recover Data for OST Software from Convert OST to PST

Visit More Information and other Data Recovery Software : http://www.recoverdatasoftware.com

Thanks.....

There are quite a few software packages to buy but no freeware yet.
If someone has a free solution let me know.

Advise next tool-read ost file,
can store emails, contacts and other information in files of different formats,tool provides one important feature, *.ost files can be easily converted into *.pst files, that may be opened with any other email client and without any additional processing,allows to process even damaged files in *.ost format,may preview emails, contacts, tasks and calendars before exporting it to a *.pst file.

Recently my pst file get corrupted and unable to repair it through scanpst and other utility. my friend suggest me to use pst repair software. Through this software i am able to repair my pst and recovered all my data. Its very easy to use. It supports all the version of outlook. It recovers data from password protected and encrypted file also.