A Real-time Scenario of Outlook Mail Data Loss and How to Easily Extract OST Objects to a PST File

I was using Outlook 2007 on my client computer. I had tons of contacts, emails, calendar entries in my Outlook data file. I was able to log on to the domain till last week. But there were problems with the login a few days back. So, I deleted my domain user account in the Active Directory and recreated a new account having the same name. I probably thought that the new account will automatically take the properties of the old one. It was now that I ran into a number of other profile issues and came to know that the Exchange was not running. When I started Outlook with the new account, it tried to create a new user profile and connect to the Exchange Server. But it did not succeed. It seemed that I had lost all my vital Outlook mail data.

I was not able to connect the old mailbox to the new account somehow. This issue possibly had one solution and that was converting the Outlook OST file to a PST file. Then, creating a new profile and getting all data in this profile. But this wasn't an easy job. I had to rigorously search for an efficient third-party OST to PST Converter software that would do the trick for me. I had already run the demo versions of various products, but none of them assured a complete conversion. I decided to contact a 'System Admin' for a quick fix to this. I narrated the whole problem to him. He doubted that my file was damaged as some of the tools had already failed to convert it. He suggested me to use an advance OST to PST Converter. He had a similar problem in the past with one of the employee's OST file and this utility was really helpful.

I took his advice and purchased this software after checking out its demo version. To my delight, the tool did it another time. It helped me quickly overcome this problem by safely extracting all objects in the file and restoring them to a new equivalent PST file. It allowed me to convert important messages, contacts, notes, journal, etc. without any slightest change in their original formatting and structure. I got all my emails back with their exact key properties, such as ''To', 'From', 'Subject', etc. Using this advanced OST Recovery tool, I also saved some of my emails as individual EML files in the system.

OST to PST Converter is an impeccable solution for OST file corruption

Microsoft Outlook is a renowned name in the world of business emails, as one of the most popular and extensively deployed email client. The reason why enterprises love Outlook is the fact that it works as a client for MS Exchange Server that helps to maintain a collaborative environment.

The beauty of MS Outlook lies in its ability to incorporate the accessibility to user mailbox data even in the absence of Exchange Server. This is possible with the use of Outlook OST files. OST files or Offline Storage Tables are the carbon copy of a user mailbox and get stored on the user's computer.

The OST file allows that user to access his email, contacts, notes, attachments, tasks and calendar entries in the offline mode. This OST file synchronizes with the Exchange Server and updates all the offline work to the actual Exchange mailboxes.

For a regular Exchange user, these OST files are the life line as they will contain cardinal data and information and allow that user offline accessibility. But these OST files are prone to corruption on account of certain hardware and software factors. Some of these may be a virus attack on the computer system, abrupt Outlook termination, synchronization error, hard disk failure, poor network connection or more.

With a threat of OST file corruption lingering behind, Microsoft has provided a free inbuilt utility to repair the corrupt OST file which is Inbox Repair Tool or Scanost. Scanost is one of the best utilities by Microsoft and it can make the unusable OST file, back to usable. The way Scanost works is that it compeletely restructures the Outlook OST file which can sometimes lead to loss of some vital data.

Often times, the corruption degree is too high or the OST file is orphaned and Scanost is not able to repair the file. When Scanost fails, there are commercial third party OST to PST Converter tools available in the market that can successfully Convert Outlook OST to PST. These software create usable PST file with all the vital data from the corrupt OST. This newly created PST file can be easily imported to Outlook.

Though the Inbox Repair Tool is not very easy to use and requires technical knowledge, the third party OST to PST Converter tools are very easy to use. Moreover, a complete step by step user guide is available along with real time tech support for any queries or issues regarding the software.

One such commercial solution is “Stellar Phoenix OST to PST Converter”. This is a powerful OST to PST Converter tool that has an interactive GUI and high compatiblity with all major versions of MS Outlook. This dexterous tool is also available in a risk free demo version that offers a preview of the user mailbox items such as emails, contacts, attachments, notes and calendar in a three view structure.

An efficacious fix for Outlook OST corruption issues

OST file is the twin of user mailbox stored on the Exchange Server. OST files make it possible for Outlook users to access their mailbox data in the absence of Exchange Server. All the emails, contacts, notes, tasks, journals, calendar entries and attachments are stored on the local machine that enables working in offline mode.

OST file is a vital data source for its user. Everytime the connection with the Exchange Server is established, the OST file synchronizes with the server mailbox and the work done offline is updated. OST files are required to work in the absence of Exchange Server which can be triggered by many factors, such as, Exchange Server downtime, network connection issues, Exchange maintenance or upgrade etc.

Over time the Outlook OST file grows in size. Since, in the earlier versions of MS Outlook the maximum file size for OST file was 2 GB, these files would soon outgrow the maximum permissible limit and become corrupt. To overcome this shortcomming, in the later versions of Outlook the default OST size limit was increased from 20 GB (Outlook 2003/2007) to 50 GB (Outlook 2010).

Another point of concern is that the OST file is stored on the user's computer and any sort of virus attack on the system or bad sectors on the storage drive can lead to the corruption in the OST file. There are end number of known and unknown factors that can cause corruption in the Outlook OST file. Keeping this in mind, Microsoft has provided the Inbox Repair Tool to repair the corrupt or damaged OST file. But this tool is not capable to repair the affected file in almost all the cases.

When the corruption degree is too high, professional tools are required to perform Outlook OST Recovery. The perfect fix for OST file corruption is to convert OST to PST and recover all the vital data using third party tools. A corrupt or damaged OST file is lost and becomes unusable. By converting it into a usable PST file, the data can be recovered hassle free.

One of the preeminent tools is “Stellar Phoenix OST to PST Converter”. This dexterous utility converts the severly damaged OST files to PST and recovers all the emails, attachments, appointments, contacts, notes, tasks and calendar entries intact. The software preserves the original RTF and HTML formatting of the messages while converting. This adroit tool to convert OST to PST is compatible with MS Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000.

Are You Unable to Access Your Outlook Data Due to OST File Corruption? Solve this Issue by Easily Repairing Corrupt OST File

In MS Outlook, OST files are Offline Folder files that are exact replicas of your data stored on Exchange Server. An OST folder allows the user to access Outlook data in offline mode and it is very important for an OST file to synchronize with mailbox on Exchange Server. But at times, OST file also gets corrupted due to which, user is unable to access Outlook data. In such cases, you can use OST to PST converter software to recover your data from corrupt OST file.

I work as admin manager in a tech support company and use Outlook because of company policies. One day, I was sending an important e-mail to my team members and suddenly I received an error message. The error message was similar to the following message:

“AppName: Outlook.exe
AppVer: 14.0.4760.1000
ModName: Kernelbase.dll
ModVer: 6.1.7600.16385
Offset: 0003194b”

After receiving this error message, I was unable to access any of the Outlook items. As I was not aware of this error message so I called up the IT department but that day was a week off and none of the technical support staff was available. After trying a few more options, I started searching for a resolution to this issue and found that this error message occurs if the OST file gets corrupt. However, there are many reasons for corruption of OST file but the common reason is virus infection.

Viruses are malware content that enter into your computer without your knowledge and
infect the files in order to make them completely inaccessible. To confirm this, I performed a scan using antivirus software and the scan results showed that my system is infected with Trojan virus. I removed the entire virus and infected files by scanning my computer with antivirus software but the OST file was still corrupt. Then I called up one of my friends and he told me that I can easily fix this issue by converting the OST file into PST format and then I will be able to access my Outlook data. I started searching for such software on the Internet and found a list of popular software. I tried some of them and selected Stellar Phoenix Convert OST to PST software that allows you to repair and recover data from corrupt OST files and convert it into PST format.

Stellar Phoenix Convert OST to PST allows you to save the converted data into EML and MSG format. Moreover, this software previews all the data before actually starting the Outlook OST recovery process.

Recovering Outlook data post OST file corruption

It is quite troublesome when Oulook freezes or doesnot open and all the data becomes inaccessible. Everytime an attempt is made to access the OST file data, certain error messages are encountered. Outlook OST file becomes inaccessible in the following scenario when it gives the following error message:

“Event Type: Information
Event Source: Outlook
Event Category: None
Event ID: 30
Date: 5/1/2012
Time: 5:43:37 AM
User: N/A
Computer: Name
Description: The store C:\Documents and Settings\user.domain\Local
Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.ost is being reconciled
with the indexer for the following reason: Non-matching max change numbers.”

The user will not be able to access his Outlook OST file no matter how many times he tries to open it. Each attempt would result in the same aforementioned error message.

Cause:

OST file corruption accounts for this error and renders all the cardinal user data stored in that OST file as inaccessible. OST file corruption can result from myriad factors such as:

1.Incorrect file system recovery
2.Attack by virus or a malicious software
3.Abrupt Outlook termination
4.Dirty shutdown or power failure
5.Synchronization error
6.Network connection failure

Solution:

If the OST file is severely corrupt and is not required, then it can be deleted and a new OST file can be created by following these steps:

Step1- Quit MS Outlook.
Step2- Rename the existing OST file.
Step3- Restart MS Outlook in offline mode.
Step4- The following error message comes up:
"The file "C:\Exchange directory\file name.ost could not be found"
Click OK.
Step5- In the Offline Folder File Settigs dialog box, click OK.
Step6- You will receive this error message-
"The file c:\Exchange directory\file name.ost could not be found. Would you like to create it?"
Click Yes.
Step7- MS Outlook will start in online mode. Click Tools-> Synchronize-> All folders.

This way the newly created OST file will get synchronized with the Exchange Server and the user can resume working with the new OST file.

If the OST file contains precious data and can not be deleted then one needs to overhaul the corrupt Outlook OST file to recover vital data such as emails, attachments, contacts, calendar, appointments, jounals, tasks, To-do lists and notes. OST file can be repaired using “OST Integrity Check Tool” which is a free utility by Microsoft. Scanost.exe is able to repair the OST file and all the data is recovered. However, Scanost is not very efficient in repairing severly corrupt/damaged OST file. If you are in the same spot, then the only resolve is to convert OST to PST.

An adroit utility to convert OST to PST is “OST to PST Converter”. This powerful software is compatible with MS Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000. It is a commercial OST Recovery tool that can create a new usable PST from the corrupt OST file while preserving the formatting from RTF and HTML messages.

Discussing Outlook Synchronization problems and efficient OST to PST conversion software

Cached Exchange mode is one of the most significant features of Microsoft Exchange Server. It enables you to access Outlook data even while working offline or with unreliable Internet connectivity. Once synchronization is done with Microsoft Exchange Server, all the OST file data gets reflected in the Outlook PST file. You might have worked offline for a considerable period of time and at this stage, if you are unable to synchronize those changes with the Exchange server, you might face serious data loss. This may occasionally happen due to corruption of the Outlook offline folders (.ost) file. To repair corrupt OST file and effectively retrieve your lost invaluable data, you need to go for OST Recovery Software using a reliable third-party utility.

Imagine a practical scenario. Suppose you are using Microsoft Outlook in offline mode. In the middle of an operation, you come to know that your OST file is corrupt and you are unable to synchronize the file with the Exchange server. As a consequence, all your vital emails and other mailbox items would become inaccessible. In such circumstances, you should use the most recent backup to restore all your lost data. However, if the backup is unavailable, follow the below mentioned resolution steps.

Root of the issue:

You encountered this erratic behavior as a result of corruption of the Outlook OST file. This could happen due to various reasons, such as hardware failures, unexpected system shutdown, malicious virus, application malfunction, etc.

Solution:

In order to resolve the issue of OST file corruption and regain access to your precious data, you should convert OST file to an equivalent PST file. You can easily do this using a professional OST to PST converter. Data of an Outlook OST file can be accessed or viewed in a PST file. This is possibly one of the best remedies to overcome this problem.

There are a handful of third-party utilities available in the market that can quickly perform OST to PST conversion without causing any risk of potential data loss. Initially, you can use the demo version of these products. Once satisfied and assured, you can go for the full version.

Stellar Phoenix OST to PST Converter is a competent tool that converts OST files of MS Outlook 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000. Moreover, the tool is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, Server 2003, XP, and 2000.  

Usage of an effective measure to access data from a corrupt Outlook OST file

As, I was aware about the true fact that Microsoft Outlook is the only application that allows to access Outlook data

even in the absence of Internet connectivity. This is the reason I have installed a Microsoft Outlook in my laptop.

I am in field work, so I have to go on tours regularly. This is another reason why I have chosen an Outlook messaging application as my e-mail client. Many times it happens that while traveling, a problem of unreliable Internet connectivity arises. So, such kind of problematic situation can be handled easily where I cannot access my Outlook e-mails properly due to unreliable Internet connectivity through the use of an Outlook OST file. OST file is an Outlook data file that permits user to access Outlook data even if the Internet connectivity is no more. However, OST file is also prone to corruption. Before going to find a solution, let us discuss an error message that I have recently faced while using Microsoft Outlook:

“Cannot open your default email folders. The file xxxx.ost is not an offline folder file.”

Appearance of this error message has disturbed me a lot. All the data saved in the Outlook OST file became inaccessible. However, I tried to find out the cause and solution for it. Cause came out to be the corruption of Outlook data OST file. In order to get rid of OST corruption, I ran ‘Scanost.exe’ utility to get data of an OST file back, but not found any results. Data contained in Outlook OST file was precious to me as all my business related e-mails are there. Losing all those e-mails could fall me into serious problems. So, I started searching over the Internet and came to know about some third party tools. But, for making use of any of such tool, I have to pay money. Irrespective of this true fact, I prepared myself to invest for a third party tool because I was in a great need to recover all my lost data.

Through Internet, I came to know that in market, there are plenty of specialized software available in the market that repair OST file instantly. Moreover, such tools convert OST to PST as well. These third party software recover all the inaccessible data of OST file objects, such as contacts, attachments, appointments, tasks, journal, events, etc. Thus, after knowing about third party tools now my search started for a reliable third party OST to PST converter tool. After doing research for long, I found Stellar Phoenix Mailbox Exchange Desktop software. I found that this tool has numerous satisfied users.

Even after studying about this tool on Internet, firstly I used a demo version of the software. I was amazed after seeing its remarkable performance. I was glad, that in just a small amount of time the tool has performed OST PST conversion and recovered all the data from the corrupt OST file. But, in demo version, I was unable to save the recovered items. After complete satisfaction, I have purchased a full version of the software and recovered all my lost data from the OST file.

How to Access all Data and Mails in an Unusable or Corrupted OST File

When you have an orphaned OST file which contains your data but is either corrupt or unusable due to various reasons, the problem here is how to access the data in it. This corrupted or inaccessible OST file is of no use. Suppose in a situation you have an OST file that gets unusable after user account and mailbox deleted from the previous server.

Moreover, you will see the following alert message when you try to export the data contained in OST file into PST file.

"Attempting to view permissions in Outlook: Some permission could not be displayed. Permission information for this folder could not be accessed."

This is really a drasting problem as all of your important mails and other data are in an unusable file. The major question is that how to open this OST file in MS Outlook.

But you need not to worry, technology has the answer of this question i.e. use an efficient, easy to use and affordable tool that converts all your important data contained in the corrupted OST file into its equivalent PST version which you can access in MS Outlook.

As their is no other way to access your data in corrupted OST file without converting it into PST file. First convert OST file in PST file and save it as a PST file then you can access all your data in MS Outlook

Hence for solving the above mentioned problem you only need to have an OST to PST conversion tool. To evaluate the performance and efficiency of the software you can download the free evaluation version and get familier with the functionality and performance of such conversion tools.