Repair Outlook 2003 archive file

[Extremerc12]

As the title suggests, I am looking for a freeware program that can repair an Outlook 2003 PST file. The repair tool included with Outlook 2003 is unable to repair the file. I did download a trial of a program just to see if it could be repaired. But at $100 it's not that important. It's only my work archive anyhow.

Thanks

[pam123]

The only one I know is the inbox repair tool : How to use the Inbox Repair Tools to recover e-mail messages in Outlook 2002, Outlook 2003, and Outlook 2007

What is the other program you found ?

[Extremerc12]

Program is called Stellar Phoenix Outlook PST Repair. When I try to use the Inbox Repair Tool I get the following: "The Inbox Repair Tool does not recognize the file C:\Documents and Settings\................\My Documents\Archive\Archive.pst. No information can be recovered." Where I have the archive file stored, I can see that it is an Office Data File and that its approximately 850mb in size. I have never had an issue such as this before.

[EzyStvy]

Might consider creating a new folder and then attempt to import from the archive file.

And to help avoid this in the future:

Download: Outlook 2007/2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

[Extremerc12]

I have attempted creating a new folder, but that doesn't seem to work. I am just confused as to why this time, it doesn't work.

[jdeb]

I assume you followed this method, this is the one I have used in the past and it has always worked for me.

Fix Your Broken Outlook Personal Folders (PST) File - How-To Geek

I found this but have no idea if it is any good.

Download Outlook PST Repair tool Free 1.0 Outlook PST Repair tool Free for re... - OpensourceDownload.net

[pam123]

Originally Posted by Extremerc12 I have attempted creating a new folder, but that doesn't seem to work. I am just confused as to why this time, it doesn't work.

Can you walk us through what went wrong ?

[Extremerc12]

All I did was copy my archive to both a dvd and my thumb drive. Normally, I back up my archive to a disk, thumbdrive and to our NAS. This time around, when I try to access the archive, the get the error as I stated above. I have tried moving the archive from the folder it was in, to a different area all together thinking that the folder location was a problem.

Jdeb, I did try the first method you posted. That is the method that gave me the error I previously mentioned. I will try your second idea tomorrow and see what I can figure out.

Thanks

[Extremerc12]

Finally back in the office to give this another go.

Jdeb - Tried both of your ideas, but I was unable to get anywhere. As I stated before, the file is still being recognized as an Outlook Data File. I do believe it can be repaired, but not sure as of this writing how to accomplish this. Any other ideas?

Thanks

[jdeb]

Well, this is the method I have always used and it usually works.

Repair Outlook Data Files (.pst and .ost) - Outlook - Office.com

[Extremerc12]

Jdeb,

No dice with that method. We just updated the office to Microsoft Office 2010 (myself to Office Professional 2010). I was hoping that it might have been an issue with Outlook 2003, but it does not seem fix the issue. The error when trying to open the .pst is that its not a valid personal folder. Any reason to believe that copying the archive to my personal machine would change the results?

I know I previously indicated that not having the emails isn't all that important, while this is still 95-percent accurate, I did find myself wishing I had one particular email. I will continue to fight the good battle.

Chris