system restore with full backup, but didnt export contacts frm Outlook 2

[CMcC]

HEllo all.
I helped a friend this weekend with his computer that had a virus. So I restored the system with a full backup of the previous OS to a directory under C:\_backup. I knew he used bellsouth.net and figured that all contacts were online. After the restore, he informed me that he used Outlook and that all his contacts were in there.
My problem - cannot find the contacts folder under the backup. What is the name of the folder, and how would I be able to move that to the current installation of office?
I actually tried to open the link to the backup Outlook, but it only opened the newer version. (did a search on Outlook and saw the program under the backup)

I am thinking that I may try to uninstall the new Outlook, then try to open the backed up copy of it to see if I can get into the contacts, I just thought there would be a 'file' that contained them, that I could copy and paste form the backup to the live.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Cmcc

 

[kjv1611]

I think the file location varies per version of Office, and the version of Windows.

For Windows XP, it'll be under Documents and Settings/UserName/....

For Vista, it'll be under Users/Username/...

At least I believe that's the start of it. Going totally off memory w/o looking...

For the actual files, the safest way, probably, to be sure you find the correct one(s) in case there are more than one by chance is to just make sure you can see hidden files and folders, and then search for *.pst. If there is a personal folder file there, it should contain the contact info. With Office 2K7/Windows Vista that might be a little different - I don't remember for sure.

Also, I believe the default file name for that is just Outlook.pst.

There's lots of blog posts and such on the web detailing the folder paths, etc, that are defaults, in case you can't find it.

The Outlook.pst file should contain the old emails as well as the old contacts data. That file just needs to either overwrite the new one or be imported. If different version of Outlook and/or your friend has had new emails since, I'd suggest an Import for sure.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[cmeagan656]

Outlook contacts are stored in the same .pst file as the inbox, sent items, etc. It is normally found in C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook.

Cheers.

 

[CMcC]

Thanks to both.. I will go and try this and let you know what I find! Appreciate your help!
Cmcc