[Ham-Computers] RE: SCANPST

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

>>> KT4K wrote:
IF you can still get Outlook to open, you can simply drag some of your =
larger folders and or files to the Archive folder.=20

>>> My reply:
Unfortunately, in Dick's case, he hit a "physical" barrier (2GB) that =
broke the PST file.  At this point, Outlook could no longer properly =
manage the PST and it couldn't be "compacted".  BTW, in a PM, he =
confirmed what I suspected - the PST was migrated from an older Outlook =
2000 installation.  Outlook 2003 (and newer) PST formats can be be =
larger than 2GB, but I really wouldn't recommend it...you really should =
break them up into smaller PST's.


>>> KT4K wrote:
Outlook automatically compacts files dragged to the archive folder or =
subfolders you make and you can easily recover the space you need to =
continue use.

>>> My reply:
This is true, but Outlook will ony perform an auto-compaction if Outlook =
is open and the system has been "idle" long enough (much like screen =
saver).   Most people only open Outlook long enough to read and reply to =
e-mail, then they close it.  In these situations, the auto-compact will =
never occur.  Even at work where I have Outlook open all day, it rarely =
ever auto-compacts as the system is never idle long enough for it to =
start.  Best to manually compact the PST once a month or so.

BTW, for those of you who are wondering "what's a PST?", these are the =
files where Outlook (the full versions) store retrieved e-mails (PST =
stands for "Personal STore").  Outlook "expands" PST files as space is =
required (when new e-mails come in).  But, when you delete an e-mail, =
the PST does not "shrink" in size...it stays the same size as before the =
e-mail was deleted.  Only when the PST is "compacted" does the PST =
shrink (actually, Outlook just creates a new PST, copies everything =
over, then deletes the old PST).

For more info on compacting Outlook PST's, go here:

  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/291645


>>> KT4K wrote:
Pick the largest and drag to your Archive folder ... I periodically =
check and archive as needed.

>>> My reply:
Keep in mind that the "Archive" folder is just a PST and has the same =
limitations as any other PST file.  If it's an older pre-Outlook 2003 =
format PST, it *WILL* break if it hits 2GB in size.


73 all,

  - Aaron, NN6O