Tips and Tricks to resolve Errors by Outlook PST Repair

Microsoft Outlook uses Outlook PST files for its mail applications. PST files act as a database for storing e-mails, attachments, calendars, tasks and contacts etc. If the PST files get corrupt, users become unable to use Outlook mail applications or to send or receive e-mails to others. All these happen due to corruption of Outlook .pst files. There are various reasons for corruption of Outlook PST files. Some of them are virus infection, improper shutdown, system crash etc. However, using an effective third party PST repair tool, we can easily repair the corrupt PST files and access all our important emails.

Let's consider the error message, that usually comes on the screen while sending or receiving Outlook mails. User receives the following error message :

"Errors have been detected in the file xxxx.pst. Quit Outlook and all mail-enabled applications, and then use the Inbox repair tool(Scanpst.exe) to diagnose and repair errors in the file. For more information about the Inbox repair tool, see Help"

CAUSE:
There is a significant reason behind this problem as discussed below:

Corruption of PST files: The Outlook PST file is composed of two parts, header and data. Any problem eithrt in the header or data part causes PST file corruption. Header part contains the critical information like file signature, file size, compatibility etc. Microsoft Outlook will first read the header part and then check its information like size and compatibility. If the verification done is incorrect, an error message prompts on screen that reads "The file xxxx.pst is not a personal folders file." Otherwise, it jumps to data part and checks its integrity. The error message mentioned at the top appears, if Outlook finds any problem in the data area.

Oversize Outlook PST file Size: Lower versions of Microsoft Outlook like 2002, also causes for the above error as the PST file gets corrupt when it reaches or exceeds the 2 GB file size limit.

SOLUTION:

Use the in-built repair tool (scanpst.exe) that comes by default in MS-Outlook. This tool may help to overcome the problem which have been caused due to various faults that are discussed below. Basically, this tool helps you to repair PST files. However, it is not always possible to repair all corruption issues by the use of scanpst.exe. You need to use a third party inbox repair tool to get back your vital data.