John, Thanks for weighing in on this. I wonder, however, did you go and read the technical data I supplied in the links, conveniently left out of the quoted text in your response . . .
Re: "changed from what"? Outlook Express stores everything in a DBX file, not at all like the PST file used in later versions of Outlook - see the MS Tech Support link at: http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;903095&spid=2578&sid=265 for more information. I stand by the MS data for 2003. For the technical support, see the link at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/832925/, which talks about both hacking the registry to set the limits for the PST file and the PRACTICAL limits of setting that file above 20 GIG, which, given the power of both the newer processors and the capabilities of the newer hard drives, should be no problem for any machine to handle as the housekeeping is routinely handled by Outlook 2003 whenever the program is: (1) opened, (2) a significant amount of data is added or removed from the file, (3) during unused CPU processor cycles on the local desktop or, (4) when the file has been corrupted by an improper machine shutdown and the Outlook program is re-opened. Here's an actual quote from the MS tech support link provided above: "If .ost files or .pst files reach the limit that is specified in the WarnFileSize or the WarnLargeFileSize registries, the compaction function is triggered to try to reduce the size of the file to a usable level. When the WarnFileSize or the WarnLargeFileSize limit is reached, e-mail messages cannot be sent (provided that sent e-mail messages are stored in the Sent Items folder), and items cannot be copied or moved within the file. If the file is an archive .pst file that is used for AutoArchive, the AutoArchive operation will fail. However, e-mail messages can be deleted or archived from a .pst or from an .ost file that is currently being used as the default delivery location." Further research will show similar behavior on the part of the Outlook program and housekeeping routines caused by the other trigger instances mentioned in my response. As for 97, 00 and 02, it's not always convenient to "split up" the file into smaller chunks - not everyone who partakes in this list is as technically savvy as you are or wants to fragment up their Outlook desktop, having to open other files to find data - the policies of some companies simply don't allow them to do that. If anyone has already deleted the original post and wants a listing of the specific items outlined, and links to the MS technical data, so they can read the actual engineering posts on the topic and formulate their own opinions, please feel free to contact me off-list and I will e-mail you back, off list, with the original post. Bruce Barnes -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of John T (Lists) Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 19:56 To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Know Outlook Limitations and recovery tools (WAS RE: [IMail Forum] Imail mail box size limit) > The bad news is that all versions of OUTLOOK EXPRESS; and MICROSOFT OUTLOOK > 1997, 2000 and 2002 all have MAXIMUM SIZE LIMIT of TWO 2 GIGABYTES for > the SUM TOTAL ALL OF THE MESSAGES in the local e-mail client. Not quite. That is a 2 GB limit per PST file in Outlook, not a maximum total of 2 GB of e-mail. > As I stated above, Outlook 1997, 2000 and 2002 completely change the manner > in which data is stored on the local user's machine, storing that data > in a > PST file. Well, that is a little misleading. Changed it from what? Besides, there are performance reasons for not using such large files. I tell all my clients, and I myself practice this, that once a PST file gets over 1 GB, split it. You can create and use additional PST files. > Outlook 2000 also started using an OST file to determine the last > synchronization with the mail server running in "exchange mode". > Again, this file is ANSI based and, as such, has a size limitation of > 2 gig, although for all practical purposes, if an OST file is over > 1.87 gig, users > will begin to experience difficulty. Again, not quite correct information. The OST file is only created/used if Outlook is configured as an Exchange (corporate) client AND is configured for offline. And gee golly wilikers if the PST has a limit of 2 GB (practicle 1.75) then I would think the OST would be the same. Now your posting this is making me think about this and I will add this to my check list for workstations, as some user, and especially those with laptops that may have big mail boxes also may have big OST files. > While I am not normally an MS proponent, Outlook 2003 not only allows > a much > larger database of messages, but is much more stable than any previous > version of Outlook. We've upgraded about 5,000 workstations for > corporate customers so far. Even though there are alternatives out > there, many people > prefer to stay with Outlook. While I agree with your assement of Outlook 2003, I still recommend that PST files not be allowed grow larger than 1.5 GB as file fragmentation will still occur and the larger the file the harder to defrag. (We do defrag our workstations from time to time, don't we?) John T eServices For You "Seek, and ye shall find!" 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