The moment you opened Outlook and created an email account, it created a new
PST file. If you can't find it, it just means you haven't searched correctly
or haven't enabled the display of hidden file and folders, but it is there.
When you copy another PST file to the default location, it is very likely
you will overwrite that file since Outlook gives the same name to every PST
file it creates. If you overwrite a PST file, there is a 100% chance you
will corrupt your Outlook profile, and also a chance you will corrupt your
PST file.
The instructions I posted take all that into account. I would suggest
reading them and following them. This is Microsoft Outlook. None of the
assumptions you might make on how to handle data files apply to Microsoft
Outlook. Migrating Outlook data abides by no conventions and drives everyone
crazy. There is no excuse for this state of affairs, but it is reality.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"sheila4typing" wrote in message
...
Sorry I am a little lost. Since this is a brand new laptop and nothing is
on
yet what data would I override? I would have thought when I sent up the
email account and it sent a test email that would have created one. I
looked
at the location I mentioned below and there is not a pst file in that
folder,
only outcmd.dat, outlook.srs. and outlook xml document.

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

It is highly unlikely that you need the PAB file since Outlook has not
used
PAB files in a decade.
You should _not_ copy the PST file to the default location because there
is
a good chance you will overwrite another data file. Copy it anywhere
else.
Most users put it with their other data. Just make sure you remember
where
you put it so you can then open it easily in the new installation of
Outlook.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"sheila4typing" wrote in
message
...
Thank you.
I located the outlook.pst and mailbox.pab and copied them to my thumb
drive.
I believe I copy both these files in
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outloo k\ since the new
laptop
has Vista correct? Also I am a little confused as to the pab file
because
I
thought the pst file contained mail contacts calendar etc. The pab
file
is
only 265kb whereas the pst file is much much larger. Do I really need
the
pab file?

"Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

We can. Or you can read one of the daily posts here that tell you how
to
do
this.
The file you need is your Personal Folders file (*.pst) It's where all
the
mail, calendar, contacts etc are stored.

Take a look at these pages for info on Outlook data backup or
transfer:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...771141033.aspx

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
"sheila4typing" wrote in
message
...
My son is getting a new latop for Xmas which has Vista and Office
professional 2003. I need to move his contacts (address book),
calendar
and
all his emails from his old desktop which has Windows XP home and
Office
professional 2003. Can you tell me the best way to do this? Thank
you