[Peter Mac]

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.recoveryt...m/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?

[pip22]

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

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

[Peter Mac]

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?

[Peter Mac]

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?

[Peter Mac]

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: 25 February 2008 - 07:40 PM

[MDOminic]

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.

[Peter Mac]

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?

[MDOminic]

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....

[Peter Mac]

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.

[Peter Mac]

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

[AlexKrenvalk]

Peter Mac, on Feb 18 2008, 11:44 PM, said:

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.recoveryt...m/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?

Today I installed a new email program. When I imported all data from the old program to the new program something must have happened... And all my data was damaged,I was disappeared. Accidentaly called me up a friend and advised me - convert .pst file. To my surprise the program solved my issue for seconds and without payment. Besides it learnt me retrieve either separate files with *.vcf, *.txt and *.eml extensions or convert them into a file of PST format, that can be forwarded to any other PC within your local network...

[edlain]

Hey.
I've tried many ways for converting OST to PST.
JeffreyLDyer on this page http://www.justanswer.com/questions/32irx-...-ost-file-to-an recommends an online OST to PST converting service http://www.backyourdata.com
Cheap if your file is not very big.
They have converted my file perfectly.
Hope this helps someone.

[tompatrick]

I was stuck in to a somewhat similar situation a year ago but my files were saved by Stellar phoenix if you too want to convert OST to PST you can do that using the software.

[Ron Chong]

Peter Mac, on Feb 26 2008, 09:38 AM, said:

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.

Another Method:
1.Follow until Step 4 above.
2.Use Outlook express to Import messages. Outlook express recognizes outlook.ost. This imports your new messages.
3.Close Outlook express and replace outlook.ost with the old outlook.ost that contains your old email.
4.Open Outlook Express and import microsoft exchange messages. System will import from outlook.ost
5.Close Outlook Express and open Microsoft Outlook Exchange. Outlook Express will update the outlook.ost with all messages.
6.Open outlook exchange and tada. it will show all messages in your inbox and sentbox.

.pst is for personal folders. .ost is for inbox folders(not personal folders).

This post has been edited by Ron Chong: 18 July 2010 - 11:39 PM

[BobMaria]

You can also use ost to pst conversion software from -
http://www.ost-to-pst-converter.com