Microsoft Outlook on a Wireless Network

morrig47 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 11:26 AM

I have setup a Home Wireless Network to enable file sharing, printer sharing and internet access sharing. I have finally made some painfully slow progress (see my other post on "Printer and File Sharing", but I am stuck with one issue. I would like to share my Microsoft Outlook which is on my Desktop (main PC) with my Laptop. I imagine this means finding the required folder and enabling it as a shared folder. My query is where is the folder and is it that simple?

Has anyone done this successfully without Microsoft Exchange?

I am using Microsoft XP Pro and Outlook 2003.

Thanks

Gareth

AphJN · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 12:18 PM

I am using Outlook 2k in the configuration you are asking about. My big system (Tower, Server, Desktop) is down in my basement where it stays cool...I have a laptop upstairs where my wife wants to stay. I shared the folder the Outlook.pst resides in and mapped that folder as a new drive for the laptop's outlook.

Where outlook PST resides in 2k may not be the same for 2k3, but you can confirm by doing a file search on *.pst. Mine was located in C\Document and Settings\MAIN\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

MAIN would be the profile/account you are using. Be sure to share the outlook folder instead of the whole chain of folders.

The only thing I am not able to do is have both outlooks open at the same time.

morrig47 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 01:47 PM

Many thanks for the advice. I have successfully mapped the folder and I can see it on the client (Laptop) under My Network Places. When I open Outlook, however, it does not match the up-to-date Desktop version - it is the old version which sat on the laptop for some time until I setup the Wireless Network. Have I missed something along the way? Should the Outlook on the laptop now match the version on the Desktop?

I am also having fun and games with the Firewalls. I thought I had it sorted, but I seem to have gone back a step. I can only network with Norton Internet Security 2004 disabled. I followed their advice and input my network address in Trusted Sites - to no avail!

Have you experienced anything like that?

Gareth

AphJN · #4 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 02:00 PM

Yes, Outlook needs to be the same version on both machines. Since I have office 2k on both I didnt have that problem.

As far as Firewalls go, most of my experience with them comes from ZoneAlarm. I am using Sygate now, but ZA has Inter and Intra settings. I let everything have access on the Intra, but restrict what I wanted on the Inter settings. Sygate handles it differently. Also, if you have DHCP enabled on your router, it will change IP addresses everytime the Laptop/Desktop logs into the router (found that out when trying to route packets to a specific IP on my Gated intranet)

morrig47 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 02:35 PM

Sorry I slightly misled you - when I said old version I did not mean another Outlook version. Both versions are Outlook 2003, but when I open Outlook on the laptop, through the network, it is not the same collection of emails, calendar and contacts information as stands on the Desktop. I had assumed that they would hold the same information and update each other as I opened one or the other i.e. they were in sync. Perhaps that is not possible without Microsoft Exchange.

I think I have resolved the Firewall issue. It looks as if both main and client computers have to conatin the inforamtion on Trusted Sites (i.e my home network). Symantec only mention the main PC - ah well!

Really grateful for all your time and effort on this.

Gareth

AphJN · #6 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 02:37 PM

Ok, did this outlook already exist and was used before you tried to map? You will not be able to sync the two PSTs but you can share 1 pst. Its also possible on the laptop to attached or open the Desktop PST as a personal Archive and not the main Outlook pst. (it will still be name Outlook.pst, but in the laptop it will show as a personal archive.)

morrig47 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 02:55 PM

Sorry AphJN I do not quite follow you this time. There was an outlook version on the laptop (it was my only PC at the time until I bought a Desktop), but the information on this Outlook was not up-to-date since I then started using the Desktop. I know I can copy onto a memory stick and take it to the laptop, but this seems to be defeating the object of a home network.

Given I cannot sync how can I share the 1 pst over the home network? I also do not understand your reference to "It's also possible on the laptop to attach or open the Desktop PST as a personal Archive and not the main Outlook pst. (it will still be name Outlook.pst, but in the laptop it will show as a personal archive.)" How is this done?

Thanks again

Gareth

AphJN · #8 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 03:10 PM

Do you know how to open an Existing PST?

In this case, you would be opening the Desktop PST that you shared across the network.

Most users only have one PST when they use Outlook in Internet Mail Only (IMO) form.
However, just like the Exchange setup, you can create and add personal Archives. In this case you have 2 options. Rename the Laptop PST to Outlook1 or Old.pst then open outlook. It will look for the Outlook.pst file and cant find it. It will ask for the correct location. This is where you select the shared outlook pst file location. It will then use the NEW pst as its outlook today main file and then Email will stay sync'd and happy with the Desktop. Now that you have achieved that, you just re-add by opening a PST and then select the renamed PST you used to use.

Old File: C:\Documents and Settings\MAIN\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.ps > Outlook_Old.pst
New File: X:\outlook\outlook.pst < networked copy on the desktop

So that you dont try to confuse Outlook, you need to make sure the files are different names. See attached images. The Outlook folders is a list of both my main Outlook.pst and then the Attached Archive PST that is different location and information than the main. The image of Arhive Settings (misspelled the Filename

) Look at the file location and then compare with the file location on Outlook Folder Props image. This is what I am describing.

morrig47 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 04:05 PM

Looks as if it works fine.

I changed the pst file name on the laptop to oldpst then opened Outlook and mapped it to the networked pst folder from the Desktop. It accepted the changes (with the usual Microsoft reluctance!!) then I closed everything down, restarted and opened Outlook and there was my up-to-date infomation which matched my Desktop information - MAGIC!!

I have not tried to follow the second part of your post as I have what I want so I will now leave well alone.

Many thanks for such a productive afternoon.

Gareth

AphJN · #10 (**permalink**) 04-05-2005, 04:07 PM

You are very welcome. I am glad I helped. If you need anything, feel free to ask.

Andy