Converting corrutped OST to PST when synchronization fails in MS Outlook 2003

MS Outlook is used as the premier emailing application by numerous users throughout the world. Apart from emailing, it also supports creating tasks, journals, reminders, and so on. All such data is stored in an OST (Offline Storage Table) file when you work in the offline mode. Offline mode is usually preferred where there is limited or unreliable Internet connectivity. So, the various tasks are synchronized with the Exchange Server. However, sometimes the OST file gets corrupt due to which synchronization does not take place, thereby causing the OST file to be orphaned. In such situations, you should try to repair the OST file. If you do not succeed in doing so, then you should convert OST to an equivalent PST file using a third-party OST to PST converter.

Consider a scenario wherein you are using MS Outlook 2003 in offline mode. When you try to synchronize the OST file with the Exchange Server, it fails to do so. An error message is displayed, that is:

“Unable to expand the folder. The set of folders could not be opened. Errors could have been detected in the file xxxx.ost. Quit all mail-enabled applications, and then use the Inbox Repair Tool.”

Here, xxxx.ost stands for the OST file that is created by Outlook while working in the offline mode.

Cause:

The root cause of this erroneous situation is that the OST file has corrupted or damaged. Because of this, Outlook is unable to recognize and, hence, synchronize it with the Exchange Server.

Resolution:

To resolve this situation, you need to repair the OST file. To do this, you should perform the following steps:

• Click Start | Run.
• In the Open box, type 'drive:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\LocaleID\scanpst.exe' and press Enter.
• Enter the PST file and its path in the 'Enter the name of the file you want to scan' box.
• Click 'Start'.
• Select the 'Make a backup of scanned file before repairing' check box when the file scan is completed.
• Click 'Repair'. The PST file will be repaired when the 'Repair Complete' message box is displayed.
• Open Outlook and try to synchronize with the Exchange Server. It should run fine now.

However, if the problem is still persisting then you should use a third-party OST to PST converter. Such read-only tools have rich user interface that enable safe and secure OST-PST conversion with much ease.

Advanced OST to PST converter converts a corrupted OST file to its equivalent PST file effectively. It converts OST to PST while restoring the emails (with attachments), tasks, contacts, journals, calendar entries, etc. In addition, this OST-PST converter preserves the formatting of the RTF and HTML messages. Specifically designed for MS Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000, this tool is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, Server 2003, XP, and 2000.