Lost MS Outlook contacts after reformat - HELP!

Almeda · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:09

Hi all,

Any free software (or trial) that might help here? In actual fact, I dont mind paying.

Thanks

Dr_Evil · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:14

What exactly did you back up before reformatting?

Flat4 · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:41

Dr_Evil said:
What exactly did you back up before reformatting?

i'm guessing everything but the contacts from what he's implying

fool hardy

Almeda · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:42

yup, unfortunately. I created pst files for everything else bar the contacts

Dr_Evil · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:45

Outlook Express or Outlook? Which version?

Flat 4 - Reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy>?

Almeda · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:48

Dr_Evil said:
Outlook Express or Outlook? Which version?

Flat 4 - Reeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy>?

lol

Outlook 2003 - reinstalled, put all the inbox bac, out box, deleted items, etc just forgot the sodding contacts.

Does OUtlook not create contacts from emails sent anyway?

Dr_Evil · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:57

When you were backing up and looked in your <username>/Local Settings/Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook folder what files did you see?

Did you see an .ost file there? Or just the 1 .pst file?

I'm sure Outlook normally stores your contacts within the 1 .pst file, unless you're in a domain network using exchange....

studio2online · 6 Nov 2006 at 16:59

Checked in 'sent items' for e-mails you've sent out to your contacts?

If you're reformatted your HDD and not backed up your contacts, then the chances are you've probably overwritten the data on the disk when you re-installed the OS.

There's a nifty application called 'Get Data Back for NTFS' which might be able to recover them from the disk if they haven't been overwritten with new data, but i think it's unlikely you will be able to recover them without a small miracle. I could be wrong though.