OST Backup 1

[pashworth]

We are using Outlook 98 on Windows NT 4.0 workstations, with an Exchnage 5.5 server as the back end.

How do backup my collegues ost files so that I can re-setup should my Exchnage 5.5 server go down.

I've tried copying an ost file, deleting the mailbox, then re-creating the mailbox and copying the ost file back, this doesn't work.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[alicep]

I have had to do this before, it does work. Here is a Microsoft article

XCLN: Restoring from an OST after Deleting the Mailbox (Q163589)

If I recall, the important part is logging on as the user at that user's computer. That way their profile is opened and you get their offline synchronized files in Outlook.

I wish I would have written the steps, but it went something like this:
Log on as user. Open Outlook and work offline.
Copy the files into a .pst folder (I created one called Temp and put inbox, sent items, etc subfolders under it).
Close Outlook.
Move the .ost file somewhere else.
Recreate the mailbox and configure the exchange server services via Control Panel.
Open outlook, work on line.
Copy files from the temp.pst back into the Mailbox folders.
Close outlook.
During the synchronization, I think I got an error about no .ost available, but I can't remember. Or, maybe that is why I moved the original .ost somewhere else. Somehow, it did create a new .ost file and I threw the other one away.
Also, remove temp.pst and delete the file so it won't confuse the users.

Hope this helps you in the right direction! Alicep