Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode?

[Porty]

This seems to be an issue that concerns many users.It also seems to be hard to get accurate (and simple) advice on the best way to do it.Hopefully, I've come to the right place now A friend has a working instalation of Outlook 2002.Her PST has grown to be 1.7G.I'm aware that if the PST reaches 2G, Outlook may crash.I want to upgrade Outlook to 2003.But as far as I'm aware, the upgrade will not convert the PST from ANSI to Unicode.Can some kind person confirm this please?And perhaps suggest the best way to do the job?Thanks

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Re: Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode

That is correct - it won't convert it to unicode, you'll need to do it. See http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/convert-ansi-pst-to-unicode-pst/ for conversion options.

 

[Porty]

Re: Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode

Diane, thanks for your response. One more query - if it's in your area.




I'm new to this site. My browser of choice is Firefox. But with Firefox, the posting area doesn't respond properly. Like, I can't see the curso. Hitting Enter doesn't get a line break, can't backspace etc etc.


Seems like the board is optimised for another browser.


Any idea which one? I'm typing this now with Opera but it's not 100% either.


Cheers

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Re: Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode

It should work fine in all browsers - and seems to be fine in the latest FF. I have noticed that text boxes in FF can be goofy at times, especially when the browser has been open a while.




Which editor option do you use? On the left is the A/A button - it switches between source and wysiwyg mode - and there is the Go Advanced button which also has the source and wysiwyg mode.

 

[Porty]

Re: Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode

Actually, I've used Firefox to post on several hundred boards over the years and never ran across this particular problem. But I've just tried your suggestion and modified the input method from Advanced to Medium and that's fixed it. Thanks.




BTW, re the pre-2003 Outlook data files, are they actually PST? Or were they known as OST? Also, is there a way to tell from the file properties whether such a file is ANSI or Unicode? I'm interested to know if I carry out a conversion, there's any way of telling if it worked.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Re: Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode

When you view the pst properties - file, data file management or right click on the pst in the folder list and choose properties, then Advanced button - if the properties page saud Outlook 97-2002 format, its ANSI. If it just says outlook data file (and you are using outlook 2003 and up) its Unicode.




The data files for pop3 and imap are pst files. Hotmail and exchange use ost files - all you need to do is delete an old ost and they'll be created in the new format. Same for imap - outlook chooses the format for you.

 

[Porty]

Re: Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode

Thanks Diane - a very informative answer I'm just about ready to tackle my friend's problem.




Here's another oddity about the board's format. I was emailed a notification that you'd replied to my question. I clicked the link (in Outlook Express) and was taken to the board.




Note that, at this point, I'm not logged in. But I can see your Avatar (and very nice, too




So, I go to reply, which requires me to logon. I logon and oops - Diane's Avatars aren't visible.




Any ideas about this? It's not crucial but I'm always curious about why computer things work (or don't).




Cheers

 

[Forum Admin]

Re: Outlook 2002 - How to upgrade to 2003 and convert PST from ANSI to Unicode

There is an option in user profiles where you can choose to not display avatars (or signatures or images). You have them disabled.