Learn more about Reparing an Outlook PST File
If you have been using Outlook for a few years then chances are you have had to deal with a PST file before. Outlook uses the PST file (Personal Stroage Table) to store all the user data like emails, callander, contacts. Not only does this include e-mail messages from Microsoft Exchange mail boxes, but also calendar items and other task items. Most people tend to keep the Outlook PST file in the default location under the C Drive but it cna be stored over a network or even an external drive.
The most common issue regarding PST files is that they tend to become corrupt or damaged. It is possible to do a PST file repair using a variety of methods, depending on the severity of the damage. The first task is to find out where your PST files are stored. By default, they can be found in “C:Documents and SettingsUSER Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook”. Be sure to substitute your Windows login screen name for USER when typing in this directory. The default filename for your PST file that is hosting your current mail box is Outlook.pst. There is also an archive file available, known as Archive.pst. There is no way of telling if a PST file is corrupt based on visual inspection. When Outlook is opened, the program will inform you of any corrupt data that needs to be repaired.
If you are very computer illiterate and this sounds a little too daunting then check out this computer repair company. These guys are well known to repair many different kinds of issues online and they are a whole lot cheaper then most.
Microsoft Outlook comes with an automatic repair method and an external repair kit for fixing Outlook PST files. When Outlook is opened, the program will notify you of this problem, and then attempt to fix the PST file automatically. Outlook will in most cases try to do an automaitc repair of the PST file and you should let it try before having to use the external free Scan tool. In the event that the automatic repair fails to fix the Outlook PST file, you will have to open the Inbox Repair Tool located in “C:Program FilesCommon FilesSystemMSMAPI1033” and search for the Inbox Repair Tool, under the filename Scanpst.exe.
This sweet little to is an external program that comes with office and is used to often times repair a corrupt PST file. To start this program, double click on the Scanpst.exe executable. Then you will see a screen prompt that asks you to browse to were the PST file is stored on the drive. Once this is done, start the Inbox Repair Tool scan and repair procedure. If the PST file is too corrupted or damaged, the Inbox Repair Tool may not be able to fix the Outlook PST file, requiring other third-party solutions. If the Inbox Repair Tool cannot be found in the specified location, find and run CNFNOT32.exe, which should be in the same location that Scanpst.exe should be located. This will restore the executable back to the proper location.
I hope this guide has helped answer a few of your questions.Many people find that if the PST file keeps getting corupt then it's because Outlook is having issues, you can always do an uninstall and re-install of the program. This helps to resolve many different kinds of issues. In case you are having trouble uninstalling office then check out this cannot uninstall site for software to help out.