The later versions of Outlook, (I think Version 98 onwards) has a timeout
on the .pst file lock after 30 minutes of inactivity, so you can back it up
that way
if users are leaving Outlook running and going home for the evening.

I'm not sure if its configurable.




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Stapleton
> Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 4:39 AM
> To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU
> Subject:      Re: mailbox.pst
>
> >>>>Does anyonw know how to bakcup the mailbox.pst while the Outlook 98 is
> >>>>running under a W98. I'm running ADSM 3.1.2.50 under an OS/390.
> Regards
> >
> >>>Can't be done.  Outlook takes an exclusive lock on the file.  You will
> need
> >>>to close Outlook in order to backup the .pst file.  If you are on a
> >>>WinNT/2000 platform, you can run St. Bernard Open File Manager which
> will
> >>>allow you to backup the file.
> >
> >>Yes you can, in certain case.
> >>I have about 1000 PC as TSM Client. Backup run during the day (between
> 08:00
> >>AM and 08:00 PM). We have a specific management rule for PST (Only once
> a
> >>week). We are able to backup PST File (On Win9x, NT, 2K Client and with
> >>Office9x, 2000, XP). It doesn't works each time you try to backup. But
> >>globaly it works. You will not have the last version  but one. You don't
> >>loose every thing. You have to write it down on your SLA (Service Level
> >>Agreement) with your client.
> >
> >Yes, the certain case being that Outlook isn't running.  Yes, over time,
> >perhaps, you will get a copy of the .pst file.  But you can't guarantee
> it.
>
> As discussed back a month or two ago:
>
> 1. Load kill.exe from the appropriate Windows resource kit.
> 2. Create a preschedcommand line that runs
>         <drive>:\<path>\kill.exe outlook.exe
> 3. Run the backup. The .pst file will be available for backup.
>
> Those pesky users. How dare they keep Outlook open when they lock the
> workstation for the night...
>
> --
> Mark Stapleton (stapleton AT berbee DOT com)