Movin' On Time
by Gary Woods

Moving all of your files when you get a new computer has been made a lot easier because a lot of new computers have built-in CD writers. Just locate all your Word Docs, Excel Spread Sheets, Pictures and Financial Data and burn it to a CD then move it over. The one program that is somewhat difficult to move is Outlook. For some reason Microsoft has chosen to make your address book and email files hard to find.

They even stuck your Outlook data in a folder that is normally hidden. To see the file double click on My Computer and click on Tools. From there click on Folder Options and View. There will be a heading labeled "Hidden files and folders." Under that heading click on "Show hidden files and folders."

Once that feature is turned on, click Start then on Search and finally Search for Files or Folders. At that point put in "outlook.pst." When it comes up, notate where the file resides. If you're using Windows 98, it will probably be something like C:\Windows\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. Or, if you’re using Windows 2000 or XP it will be something like C:\Documents and Settings\(Your Name)\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. Copy the file to a floppy disk or if it's too big, copy it to a place where you can burn a CD of it and then copy it to the appropriate place in your new computer. Before you know it all your addresses and archived email will be on your new machine.

If you have any suggestions or questions for me please drop me a note at garyandlaury@santabarbaraproperties.com or see my column on the Internet at http://www.santabarbaraproperties.com or call me at (805) 729-0910