HUGE .pst file in Outlook on PC - pls help a switcher get it into a Mac mail program

[anthonymoody]

I'm a soon to be switcher with an enormous .pst file in Outlook. For those not familiar it's the file containing your entire contact database, calendar, and email archive. For me, it's the email archive that's truly enormous. I save every (non spam) email I get, including attachments. Last I checked my .pst file was almost 400 megs and growing - plus I have about 100 megs in my archive .pst.

When I switch I really want to take it all with me. I'm really used to the file-folder heirarchy I've set up and the ability to go in and find older correspondence. I can certainly rebuild the folder structure for new correspondence but I really want to have my existing stuff too.

Can anyone suggest a fool proof way to do this?

Thanks a million in advance,
TM

[gekko513]

Three links on the subject:
Going via Windows Explorer (http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/user/view/cs_msg/9928)
Third party application (http://www.littlemachines.com/)
Going via an IMAP mail server (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106778)

[slu]

I had the same problem when I switched in Sept. Apple Mail will not import .pst files.

It sucks, but I found the only way to do this was (forgive me for the lack of details, but I am not at home and at work I use none of these apps):

1. On your Windows box, import your .pst files into Eudora (or a similar program that uses .mbox files. I think Thunderbird will work, or Netscape.).

2. In Eudora, export the folders to .mbox files

3. Copy the .mbox files to a CD.

4. Import the .mbox files into mail (I think there is a assistant).

If you search the forums you should find a thread that is more detailed then my crappy response, but I think you get the gist of it.

[Lancetx]

Just get this. It works great and it converted my 60+ MB Outlook .pst file into both Entourage and Mail quickly and easily. It's well worth the $10 just to avoid all of the hassle of importing everything manually.

Outlook2Mac (http://www.littlemachines.com/)

[anthonymoody]

Cool guys, thanks for all the replies - I'll look into all these methods.

Many thanks,
TM

[BornAgainMac]

Is there a way to convert Mail emails back to Outlook? (Long story)

[DJY]

I ended up going
Outlook -> Outlook Express -> created .mac IMAP in Outlook Express...

dragged all folders and emails into it on my PC.
Then from my Powerbook - got them out of .mac

was easy!
Did have to grab a very cheap app to get all my Contacts over in a seamless manner though.

[starstreak]

My mac would hate me if I did this, I think last I checked I was over 2gig for my .pst non spam, but I have email dating back to 98'. And all of this is personal and not business. :)