Monday, April 11, 2011

OST to PST Converter tool for unreadable OST file

At times, synchronization of Outlook with Exchange Server cannot be carried out easily and effectively. Different error messages appear in the application event log containing information about the issues. All the data of Outlook OST file becomes no more readable just because of non-synchronization. The problem is really big and there are numerous factors responsible for the same. Whatever may be the reason, in such situation, the primary concern is to recover the OST data. The best and an easy way is to simply convert OST to PST with the help of any third party ost recovery tool.

Imagine a situation, where you face synchronization issues of Outlook and Exchange Server. The Outlook is executing in the cached Exchange mode. You failed to synchronize the OST file with Exchange Server and received the following information in the synchronization log:

“11:45:16 Synchronizer Version 12.0.6300
11:45:16 Synchronizing Mailbox 'USER'
11:45:16 Synchronizing Hierarchy
11:45:16 Synchronizing server changes in folder 'Inbox'
11:45:16 Downloading from server 'EXCHANGESERVER.local'
11:45:16 1 item(s) changed read-state in offline folder
11:45:17 Synchronizing server changes in folder 'Deleted Items'
11:45:17 Downloading from server 'EXCHANGESERVER.local'
11:45:18 Error synchronizing folder
11:45:18 [8004011D-526-80040115-0]
11:45:18 Microsoft Exchange is not available. Either
there are network problems or the Exchange computer is down for maintenance.
11:45:18 Microsoft Exchange Information Store
11:45:18 For more information on this failure, click
the URL below:

11:45:18 http://www.microsoft.com/support/pro...00_us.asp?err=...
11:45:19 Error synchronizing folder
11:45:19 [8004011D-526-80040115-0]
11:45:19 Microsoft Exchange is not available. Either
there are
network problems or the Exchange computer is down for maintenance.
11:45:19 Microsoft Exchange Information Store
11:45:19 For more information on this failure, click
the URL below:
11:45:19 http://www.microsoft.com/support/pro...00_us.asp?err=...
11:45:20 Done
11:45:20 Microsoft Exchange offline address book
11:45:20 Download successful
...”

Cause:
Some of the causes that are responsible for the occurrence of above error message are as follows:

  1.       Unavailability of MS-Exchange.
  2.       Issues related to network.
  3.        Enabled anti-virus software.
  4.        Incorrect profile settings.
  5.        Corrupt or damaged OST file.
Solution:
To overcome such issues, and to access OST data effectively, you are required to follow the below steps:

  •       Be sure about the availability of Microsoft Exchange Server.
  •       Resolve all the issues related to network.
  •       Do not enable anti-virus software.
  •       Correct all the profile settings.
However, if the same problem still persists, then it is better to opt for a third party convert ost to pst tool. Such third party tools easily converts OST data into PST. Execution of these tools do not demand sound technical skills and any normal user can operate the tools just by reading the instructions.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tips to Solve Error: '.ost is already in use by the maximum number of applications'


An Outlook Offline Folder (.ost file) allows users to access Exchange mailbox data even in offline mode and then synchronize the changes at next secure connection with Microsoft Exchange Server. This efficiency of Outlook is quite useful in scenarios of low or inappropriate connectivity. But similar to other files, an OST file can also get corrupt. Such situations necessitate that you either restore from backup or use a Convert OST tool that retains the capability of converting a corrupt OST to PST file and thus recover ost file.

Following is an instance of such probable events in Microsoft Outlook. Consider a user using Microsoft Outlook 2003. At one point of time, it might come across the below error message:

The file OST_File_Path\outlook.ost is already in use by the maximum number of applications. Close some of the applications, and then try again.”

Outlook user receives this error repeatedly.

Cause :
The above error is encountered due to following possible reasons:

  • As suggested by error message, Outlook OST file is being accessed by different applications.
  • You are trying to access a corrupted OST file.

Solution :
Below are the solutions to the above discussed issue:
  • If the file is opened by various other proceses, you need to close those programs. Restarting the computer should completely resolve this issue, if this is the only reason.
  • Microsoft Outlook installation includes a utility called OST Integrity Tool that can be used to correct corruption problems with OST. To run the tool, follow the below steps:
  • Exit Outlook.
  • Click Start | Run and type the following path in open box:

drive:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi\LocaleID\scanost.exe
Where, LocaleID is the local identifier of your MS Office installation.

  • Click OK and click 'Scan all folders'
  • Select 'Repair errors' check box and click 'Begin Scan'

If OST Integrity tool doesn't resolve OST file corruption, you need to use a third party tool that can repair and later Convert OST to PST. The file converted in PST can be directly used within Outlook. A Convert OST tool is easy to use and can run safe scanning procedures to extract data from Outlook offline folders.