Outlook Archive.pst not accessible

Win2K Pro SP4
Outlook 2K SP3 - Internet Mail Only - Security Update

I need to retrieve information from an Outlook archive file.

When I attempt to import Archive.pst, I get the following message:

"Properties for this information service must be defined prior to use."

I click on OK (the only option) and then get the message:

"Errors have been detected in the file D:\archive.pst. Quit all mail enabled
applications, the use the Inbox Repair Tool."

Using the procedure on
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...549331033.aspx, I run
scanpst.exe, and then at the end of phase 4/8, I get the message:

"An error has occurred which caused the scan to be stopped. No changes have
been made to the scanned file."

That then seems to be the end of the road.

Does this mean my archive file is totally useless, or is there perhaps
another avenue I can follow?

It depends a bit on further details of your situation.

What is the size of the pst-file?
Is it located on your hard disk already and do you have read/write access to
it?
How much free space is left on your hard disk?
If you copy the pst-file to another location (make sure you copy it and not
move it), do you get the same results?

A thing you could try is asking a neighbor or friend who uses Outlook 2003
or Outlook 2007 to do a scan against your pst-file on their computer.
If that also fails, you could consider trying a 3rd party recovery tool.
Mind you, these don't come cheap.

I've had great results with Advanced Outlook Repair from DataNumen;
http://addins.howto-outlook.com/datanumen_outlookrepair
If you decide to order use DNC-PUXB-HT to get a discount.

Another good recovery tool is OutlookFIX from Cimaware;
http://addins.howto-outlook.com/cimaware_outlookfix

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

"Johann Swart" wrote in message
...
Win2K Pro SP4
Outlook 2K SP3 - Internet Mail Only - Security Update

I need to retrieve information from an Outlook archive file.

When I attempt to import Archive.pst, I get the following message:

"Properties for this information service must be defined prior to use."

I click on OK (the only option) and then get the message:

"Errors have been detected in the file D:\archive.pst. Quit all mail
enabled
applications, the use the Inbox Repair Tool."

Using the procedure on
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...549331033.aspx, I run
scanpst.exe, and then at the end of phase 4/8, I get the message:

"An error has occurred which caused the scan to be stopped. No changes
have
been made to the scanned file."

That then seems to be the end of the road.

Does this mean my archive file is totally useless, or is there perhaps
another avenue I can follow?

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296088
may apply

"Johann Swart" wrote in message
...
Win2K Pro SP4
Outlook 2K SP3 - Internet Mail Only - Security Update

I need to retrieve information from an Outlook archive file.

When I attempt to import Archive.pst, I get the following message:

"Properties for this information service must be defined prior to use."

I click on OK (the only option) and then get the message:

"Errors have been detected in the file D:\archive.pst. Quit all mail
enabled
applications, the use the Inbox Repair Tool."

Using the procedure on
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...549331033.aspx, I run
scanpst.exe, and then at the end of phase 4/8, I get the message:

"An error has occurred which caused the scan to be stopped. No changes
have
been made to the scanned file."

That then seems to be the end of the road.

Does this mean my archive file is totally useless, or is there perhaps
another avenue I can follow?

Hi guys,
Thanks a million for your assistance.
DL's suggestion, Article 296088, did the trick. The entire problem seemed to
be due to the file size, i.e. in excess of 2GB. I downloaded the utility
PST2GB and ran the repair. I managed to recover around 90% of the archive
file. Thank again!
Regards
Johann

"DL" wrote:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=296088
may apply

"Johann Swart" wrote in message
...
Win2K Pro SP4
Outlook 2K SP3 - Internet Mail Only - Security Update

I need to retrieve information from an Outlook archive file.

When I attempt to import Archive.pst, I get the following message:

"Properties for this information service must be defined prior to use."

I click on OK (the only option) and then get the message:

"Errors have been detected in the file D:\archive.pst. Quit all mail
enabled
applications, the use the Inbox Repair Tool."

Using the procedure on
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ou...549331033.aspx, I run
scanpst.exe, and then at the end of phase 4/8, I get the message:

"An error has occurred which caused the scan to be stopped. No changes
have
been made to the scanned file."

That then seems to be the end of the road.

Does this mean my archive file is totally useless, or is there perhaps
another avenue I can follow?