Outlook .pst: 'Messaging interface has retruned an unknown error...'

Question

I am not sure what the problem is:
I can open Outlook and view all the files.
Sent messages go but do not indicate such. They keep sending over and over and over but do not delete.
I cannot delete messages. When I try to delete, I get the message "The messaging interface has returned an unknown error. If the problme persists, restart Outlook".
Restart changes nothing.

What I have done:
The .pst file is 1,905 gigs
I ran the Microsoft repair. It reported only minor errors but did not result in fixing it. The repair completed OK.
I cannot even delete the 4 files in the send mode and they continue to send... until I turned that off.

Cause:
It appears the cause might have been that I was syncing a very large database with Outlook for the first time. The input of new contacts could have put it over or close to the limit of 2 gigabytes.

I am happy to delete the messages from my in box but losing the contacts would hurt.

Tonight I run Spinrite.

Any suggestions?

JRosenfeld · Answer

It is rather large. I suggest that you break it up into several .pst files, archiving (File menu, archive) older emails you don't need immediately to an archive.pst, then delete the contents of the archive folder's inbox; also if necessary delete them from your inbox and folders. If you need to refer to a message in it at a later date, you import the archive.pst. You can also export just the contacts (assuming File, Import and export works) as backup. Should your .pst file still not work properly after clearing out older emails,

RVA · Answer

Problem somewhat solved but much was learned in the process.

It appears that not only had the .pst file reached its limit but it was damaged and would not open. It appears that by syncing my Contact Plus Professional contact manager with Outlook for the first time, it crammed a lot of information into a near capacity file. I suspect some got sideways.

Solution:
My very good Indian guide, worked me through the problem thanks to the Microsoft $35 per incident help. Due to all the file movements, the time consumed was several hours on the phone.

Steps:
1. I created a new file in Outlook Express and imported the data from the Outlook file. (It was necessary to do this in OE)
2. I viewed the data and deleted about half the content.
3. A new Outlook file was created and imported the data from Outlook Express.
4. The contacts were imported directly from the Outlook file. I think that they would have lost something if they had gone to OE first.

Downside:
1. All emails recovered now bear the date of the recovery, August-2006.
2. In the rush and not knowing exactly where the file glitch was, I deleted more than I would have liked to. I still have the old file but not sure I need to fool with it any more.

What I learned:
1. Outlook 2002 has a stated capacity of 2GB (Outlook.pst) At about 1.6 to 1.8 gigs it starts acting a little funny but, if pushed, will cease to work.
2. Outlook 2003 has a stated capacity of over 20GB.
3. OE seems to contain seveal files making up the complete data. While it has a limited capacity too, I don't know what it is and I don't know what directory to back up to provide protection. BUT, I don't use OE.
4. I need to backup Outlook.pst frequently which I am not doing with "Second Copy" to a remote "F" drive.
5. I need to update to Outlook 2003 within the reasonable future.
6. I need to monitor the file Outlook.pst and take steps to reduce size immediately if I see it reach 1.2GB.

Thanks, for your comments and suggestions.

RVA

Productivity Software

Outlook .pst: "Messaging interface has retruned an unknown error..."

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