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Outlook Data Loss

For the third time in four years I have experienced a complete data loss from my Outlook program. As someone who uses this program to the fullest, it is devastating. I wanted to share with you what I know and what I learned. Please note this applies to Outlook 2000/2003.

Warmly,
Mary-Lou Ashton
Master Virtual Assistant

• Outlook Files
• The Impact
• Be In The Know
• Virtual Business Start Up System

Outlook can be a very powerful tool for a VA. Not only is it an email program but also a contact database, task list, journal, address book and calendar.

All this data is stored in a file called outlook.pst. A personal address book would be stored in a .wab file (not valid for 2007 version).

When this information is lost or corrupted you will lose all of the following:

• All emails stored in Outlook
• All folders and subfolders created along with their content
• All email accounts and signatures created
• All personal preference settings made
• All follow up flags
• All email addresses
• All rules that have been applied i.e. emails going directly into a specific folder
• All organization settings i.e. colour coding for client emails
• Allappointments made, recurring, non-recurring and reminders
• All tasks scheduled

What you may not know and could save you a lot of grief is that Outlook 2000/2003 are only built to hold approximately 2 gigabytes of data. Once you go over that 2 gig limit, even if you have backed up your .pst file, you are at risk for corrupting the .pst file and being unable to restore your back up copy. I learned this while spending 1 1/2 hours on the phone with a Microsoft technician.

For me, it only took a little over a year to get to that limit, hence 3 losses in 4 years. You may be saying I had a lot of unnecessary data stored in Outlook. However, I can tell you I perform regular maintenance on my Outlook program emptying my deleted items folder and clearing out any emails over a year old.

When you restore autoarchived emails it restores the entire archive so you may lose these emails as well. The data may corrupt or crash the program if it's more than 2 gigs.

Virtual Business Start Up System

The VBSS Workbook is over 125 pages in length and stuffed full of valuable VA information written by a Certified Virtual Assistant, Tawnya Sutherland, President of Mediamage Business Solutions. An established and successful business woman, Tawnya has the work experience and know-hows of running a successful and prosperous VA business.

An easy balance between short reading passages, writing exercises, along with helpful tips, templates and checklists that will keep you both visually and intellectually stimulated on your journey to entrepreneurship.

The VBSS Workbook is designed in a fun and easy format for you to get your Virtual Assistant business up and running quickly, yet thoroughly. Each day is filled with step by step instructions for you to work through and sign-off on.