Background: 1) The majority of my consulting work is performed on my home office workstation; OS = Windows 2000. 2) I presently use MS Outlook 2000 although MSO2003 may be on the horizon. 3) The office workstation is stand-alone; it is NOT—and will not be—connected to the internet. 4) I have configured Outlook with several contacts in SEPARATE folders on my Shortcuts bar, e.g., Contacts - Businesses, ...Personal, ...Organizations, ...Contractors, et cetera. 5) When I occasionally need to leave the office on an extended trip I’d like to have my Outlook files on my laptop; OS = Windows XP. Goal: I would like to “backup” my Outlook files to a USB memory stick to “transfer” the files between the two computers, i.e., backup and restore interchangeably. Two simple questions: Q1: Will MS’s Backup Tool work INTERCHANGEABLY between the two operating systems. Q2: Will ALL of my contacts, and other “folders” be backed-up and restored? As an aside: Forgive my ignorance but what do the initials “SUMN” stand for? (Jennifer?)

LOL The answer to both questions is Yes. After installing, you have the option in the configuration of PFbackup to designate the backup location for each pst file. As long as the drive letter doesn't change for the memory stick, you'll be fine. As for SUMN... I believe I'll keep that a mystery. :) Life is more painless for those who are brainless.

WOW! That was fast. Thanks Jennifer. Your helpful repy raises a question I hadn't anticipated. Because of the diferent configurations of the two computers, I figured I would backup Outlook to the memory stick and then copy the file to the Outlook Folder (C:\Document and Settings\...). If I understand you correctly, it isn't necessary to backup to the Outlook folder but it is important that I copy the Backup file to the same Drive location on each computer; e.g., I would create a folder named C:\Copy Outlook on each computer for just this purpose. Then I would transfer the backup file on the memory stick in and out of this folder. If you see a potential problem with this method I'd be grateful for a heads up in that regard. If the coast be clear, I thank you again for your assistance.

Machine 1 - Memory stick can be G: Machine 2 - Drive H: Machine 1 is configured to backup to G Machine 2 is configured to backup to H As long as those letters don't change, you're good to go. Or, you can backup locally and then copy to the USB drive. Your choice. Life is more painless for those who are brainless.