OL2001: The PST File is Unavailable if the Network Connection Is Lost (288523)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2001 for Mac
This article was previously published under Q288523

SYMPTOMS

If you have a personal folders (.pst) file service configured in a profile for use with Outlook 2001 for Mac and the .pst file is located on a shared network volume other than the Microsoft Exchange Server, you may receive the following error message if the volume is not available:
The set of Folders could not be opened. The action could not be completed.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the network volume is no longer available and Outlook attempts to use the stored path defined for the information service in the profile to access the file.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, verify that the volume is available. If necessary, re-attach to the network volume by using the Chooser.

NOTE: A "ghosted" icon of the network volume appears on your desktop. This icon cannot be used to access the unavailable volume. Drag this icon to the Trash.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

The conditions that exist when the network volume is not available indicate a bad service configuration. It is not necessary to reconfigure the service.

How to Re-attaching to the PST File

use the following steps to successfully access a .pst file on the network:
  1. Exit Outlook.
  2. On the Apple menu, click Chooser.
  3. Click AppleShare, and then locate and access the network volume that contains the .pst file.
  4. Start Outlook, and then access the .pst file.

Error Sequences Encounter a PST File That Is Not Available

If the volume that contains the .pst file is not available, a series of errors messages occur when you try to access the folder in Outlook or the items that are contained in the folder. The following error message is the initial error message that you may receive:
The folder could not be opened. The action could not be completed.
If you attempt to view the Properties of the .pst file service in the Services dialog box, the following error message may occur:
This information service has not been configured. Select an existing file to configure or type the name of a new file to create.
If you click OK, the Create/Open Personal Folders File dialog box appears. If you click Cancel, you may receive the following error message:
Properties for this information service must be defined before use.
If you receive these error messages, aliases that you created for the network volume or the alias that were created by Apple Menu Items for Recent Servers may not function. If this condition exists, restart the Apple Macintosh to re-associate the aliases.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/27/2002
Keywords:kbbug kberrmsg KB288523
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.