I got it working thanks to your hint. I didn't realize that Outlook can use
more than one .pst at a time, and these files show up as folders on that
folder "tree". It seems that if these files are opened once, Outlook is very
tenacious in trying to find them every time Outlook is started thereafter. I
had actually brought my contacts in the .pst file to the laptop, but in all
the stumbling around had created many copies of my personal folders and a lot
of confusion to sort out.

I only figured it out by experimenting with moving and hiding the various
..pst files outside the default directory. I think this program is way, way
too complex. May I ask, do you think most people even know how to properly
back-up these deeply buried files?

Anyway, thanks very much for the help, I'm sure I'll be asking for more!

"Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

After you've created the New PST file or opened one it should appear on your
folder tree as a new root. You should be able to drag/drop things to it then

"MikeD." wrote in message
...
I need to copy my contacts from Outlook 2003 on desktop to 2002 on laptop.
Searching this newsgroup extensively has got me to the point where I
realize
I have to create a new .pst data file in the 97-2002 type from within
Outlook 2003, and then copy my contacts into it, before I copy this new
.pst
file to the laptop and open it with 2002.

My problem is that I cannot copy my contacts (or contacts folder) to the
new file. With Outlook 2003 open, on the left side I have a list of
folders,
I right click on "Contacts" folder, that opens a box that has "copy
Contacts...". When I select that, an other box opens up offering only
more
folders to copy to. Nowhere is there the option to copy to another file.

Several threads have just said "copy and paste" or "drag and drop" to
accomplish this step, with no further instructions. I must be very dense
indeed; have been trying for over a day to get this done. Any help
appreciated. Thanks.