When using an Exchange Server account, Microsoft Outlook uses an offline folder (.ost) file to synchronize the data. The OST facilitates offline data access and is extremely useful in environments of unreliable and limited connectivity. If the file goes corrupted, the consequences are directly reflected when the OST synchronizes with Exchange or user tries to access the file objects. You need to deal with such corruption problems using Outlook built-in repair tools, restoring from backup or running an OST to PST Recovery tool that can successfully convert an unreadable OST to application-usable PST.
The further scenario discusses a practical situation of corruption in Outlook OST. Consider you use Outlook 2007 with an Exchange Server account. At times, when you try to access the calendar, it hangs and the Outlook exits automatically. You cannot dismiss the reminders and receive an error message that reads as:
“Cannot turn off the reminder. You may be reminded again.”
Additionally, you may also receive errors such as:
“Errors have been detected in the file file_path\outlook.ost”
The error further suggests to repair the file using Inbox Repair Tool (Scanpst.exe). As additional symptoms of Outlook OST corruption, you may also find file synchronization issues, either the file may not synchronize at all or give errors on clicking Send/Receive such as:
“Microsoft Exchange' reported error (0x80040600); 'Unknown errror 0x80040600”
All the above errors suggest Outlook OST corruption.
Solution
1)Run OST Integrity Check tool. For this, close Outlook and locate the tool at the following location:
2)
3)C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MSMAPI\1033
4)Double-click to start the tool and proceed as the tool prompts.
5)
6)Create a new Outlook profile, which automatically creates a new OST. You can try to import data to this new file if possible.
7)Use a third-party OST Recovery utility to scan and then convert an unusable offline folder to Outlook-importable PST file.
The OST to PST Recovery applications are highly competent to analyze the inaccessible OST and convert it to a completely accessible PST file. With their interactive interface, the applications are easy to use.
Stellar Phoenix Mailbox Exchange Desktop is a reliable utility that converts an unusable offline folder to PST. The easy to use OST Recovery tool supports MS Outlook 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000. The software recovers all e-mails, calendar entries, contacts, notes and journals and is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2003, and 2000.