OL2000: AutoCompact Compacts a Small Amount of Data in a .pst File (323634)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
This article was previously published under Q323634
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

If you delete data from an Outlook 2000 personal folders (.pst) file, AutoCompact only compacts a small amount of the file.

CAUSE

When idle, Microsoft Outlook begins the .pst file AutoCompact process. This process only runs for approximately 30 minutes before the .pst file is automatically disconnected. This process ensures that the file is not locked indefinitely after Outlook has been left open, and permits any backup programs to back up the .pst file. Because of this process, only a small amount of the .pst file compacts.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Office 2000. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

276367 OFF2000: How to Obtain the Latest Office 2000 Service Pack

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the <B>Time Zone</B> tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
   Date         Time       Version        Size  File name     
   ---------------------------------------------------------
   31-JAN-2000  19:26      9.0.0.3731   196661  Oladd.fae
   05-APR-2000  13:02      9.0.0.4005   192561  Mimedir.dll
   22-MAY-2000  17:35                   170617  Olxchng9.chm
   23-MAY-2000  9:20                    150690  Olexchng.aw
   23-MAY-2000  17:19                   554068  Outlhlp.aw
   30-MAY-2000  12:53                    26643  Olsec9.chm
   02-JUN-2000  4:45       9.0.0.4201    86067  Envelope.dll
   02-JUN-2000  5:30       9.0.0.4201    65586  Sendto9.dll
   14-JUN-2000  11:11      1.0.3.27      41472  Bjablr32.dll
   14-JUN-2000  11:12      3.2.0.27      61952  Bjlog32.dll
   14-JUN-2000  11:14      1.0.3.27     183808  Emablt32.dll
   31-AUG-2000  13:43      5.5.3142.0   154112  Emsabp32.dll
   08-JAN-2001  15:37      1.0.3.28      98304  Bjsrch32.dll
   08-FEB-2001  11:17      5.5.3153.0   454144  Omi9.dll
   08-FEB-2001  11:21      5.5.3153.0   548352  Omint.dll
   01-JUN-2001  19:15      5.5.3159.0   131344  Emsui32.dll
   06-JUN-2001  11:05                   129024  Out2ksec.mst
   21-JUN-2001  16:01      9.0.0.5421    73772  Rm.dll
   31-AUG-2001  18:02      9.0.0.5630  1675315  Outllibr.dll
   17-SEP-2001  12:39      5.5.2655.46  709904  Cdo.dll
   17-SEP-2001  12:55      5.5.2655.46  812304  Cdo.dll
   05-OCT-2001  4:33       5.5.3165.0   594192  Emsmdb32.dll
   13-NOV-2001  5:45       8.30.3165.0  782608  Outex.dll
   13-NOV-2001  5:45       8.30.3165.0  782608  Outex.dll
   01-DEC-2001  20:00      9.0.0.5930   127027  Contab32.dll
   18-DEC-2001  17:19      5.5.3167.0   540944  Exsec32.dll
   02-APR-2002  18:01      5.5.3169.0   623104  Msmapi32.dll
   02-APR-2002  18:04      5.5.3169.0   792576  Msmapi32.dll
   29-APR-2002  20:52      9.0.6425.0   368691  Pstprx32.dll
   07-JUN-2002  14:28      9.0.0.6604  5337138  Outllib.dll
   07-JUN-2002  14:47      5.5.3171.0   602384  mspst32.dll

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP-3).

MORE INFORMATION

For AutoCompact to compact a larger amount of data, Outlook 2000 must leave the connection to the .pst file open for a longer period of time after it becomes idle. After you install this hotfix, follow these steps to change the registry to control the duration of the connection to the .pst file.

How to Increase the Duration of the .pst File Connection During the AutoCompact Process

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit.exe, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Outlook

  4. On the Edit menu, click New, and then click Key to add a key with the following name:

    PST

  5. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value in the new PST key:

    Value name: PSTDisconnectDisable
    Data type: DWORD
    Value data: 0

  6. On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value in the new PST key:

    Value name: PSTDisconnectOverrideCompact
    Data type: DWORD
    Value data: 14400

  7. Close Registry Editor.


NOTE: The PSTDisconnectOverrideCompact value is specified in milliseconds. The previous example uses "14400," which equals 4 hours. If you do not have to unlock the .pst file, you can set the PSTDisconnectDisable value to 1 to keep the .pst file open indefinitely.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/27/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbOffice2000preSP3fix KB323634
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