MS Outlook 2000 backup

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How do I backup my contacts in MS Outlook 2000? I have the folder but when I click on it, I get the message “The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using”. I can open the application and view the contacts, I just want to be able to back them up to another partition on my HDD.

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Your contacts are stored in your .pst file with your mail, tasks, and notes, so you can back up your contacts by backing up the entire .pst file.

If you wish to have an additional backup, you can use File > Import and Export > Export to a file, and export your contacts to another format, such as Excel or CSV. Note that some export formats may not preserve all of the data in the contact record.

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If you have a personal email system, you will find your settings and PST files in this location (by default), if you have XP and have hidden folders shown. Username is your login name on the system.

C:Documents and SettingsLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook, other files you want to backup are your folder, nav and cached addresses, which are in CDocuments and SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook, you need the NK2 file at least (cached email address file).

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I can find it OK, the problem is saving it doesn’t work. I actually have the file on another partition, but when I do the export in Outlook, then go to my folder in F drive, I found the contact folder Ok. But when I click on it I get the very same message as before, ” The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using.” What the hell does this mean anyway? I am simply trying to backup my contacts and then check to see if they are backed up. My old contact list backed up a year ago is still there, but very out of date. Thank for your suggestions.

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I can find it OK, the problem is saving it doesn’t work. I actually have the file on another partition, but when I do the export in Outlook, then go to my folder in F drive, I found the contact folder Ok. But when I click on it I get the very same message as before, ” The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using.” What the hell does this mean anyway?

I think you missed a key point in the instructions you were given – you back up Contacts from within Outlook, not from clicking on a PST file in a drive folder. Reread JScher2000’s instruction and apply them within Outlook. Otherwise I’m not following what you are doing when you get the error message, and you need to give us a more complete description of what you are doing when you get the message.

Edit – on re-reading the thread, it appears you may be trying to open your backup PST by double clicking on it in Explorer. That doesn’t work (don’t ask me why, it’s another Outlook annoyance), you must open any PST from within Outlook by browsing to it from the Outlook file menu.

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Thanks for the help from all. I have been slow about getting back, other issues to deal with. OK, I went into Outlook, selected all, copied all and pasted into a new folder on a separate partition. It looks valid. However, when I open Outlook I still get the message, “The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using”. I don’t understand that part. I can open individual contacts without a problem, just the message pops up. Any insight on this on appreciated. Thanks.

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when I open Outlook I still get the message, “The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using”.

Are you using a desktop or menu shortcut to start up Outlook? If I right-click my Outlook 2003 Quick Launch shortcut, I get this “Target”:

“C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE11OUTLOOK.EXE” /recycle

(The shortcut on the Programs menu under Microsoft Office is different/special: it doesn’t have a specific path.)

The /recycle is a command-line switch. If you look at your shortcut, what kinds of command-line switches do you find?

If you are not starting Outlook using a shortcut, how are you starting it?

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