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RVA wrote:
I have MS Office Business 2002 and depend on Outlook. I also sync Outlook with my contact manager, Contact Plus Professional (www.ContactPlus.com). This is a wonderful combination but when Outlook crashes it is a 4-6 hour booger. I figure that Outlook 2003 will offer better crash protection in addition to offering a M U C H larger .PST file capacity. (Outlook 2002 max's out at about 1.5 gigs and locks up).  Outlook shouldn't be crashing.  I use a big file also (1.7gb plus a 1.1gb archive). 

I am using XP Home and do not want to upgrade office until Vista and Office 2007 are on the street and proven.
I have read somewhere that Outlook 2003 is technically different from 2002. I would like to purchase Outlook 2003 to take me for a year or so until I make the OS and Office change.

QUESTION:

1. Can I install Outlook 2003 as a stand alone and upgrade to Outlook 2002 with no concerns that it will operate OK on XP with Office 2002?  Yes.  Just install it to a folder other than the default folder. 

2. It appears that I can get Outlook 2003 for under $100; but, with Vista coming soon and with Office 2007 on the threshold, I should be able to purchase Office 2003 for that price. Does anyone know of price drops before new introductions?  Not likely.  Note that you can buy Office 2003 for Students and Teachers, including Outlook 2003, good for THREE computers, for around $125 or less if on sale...

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RVA wrote:
Thank's Rick. I'll bookmark your web site. I appreciate your comments.

With the rate that spam is coming in these days and that I don't remember to empty my deletes and filings often enough, I cannot risk another lockup on Outlook. The first of August it locked at just over 1.5 gigs. Also, a little of my interest in 2003 is the look and windows I see on my wife's computer. The bottom line is that for the price of O2003, I cannot afford to pass.

I just purchased a new, registerable Outlook 2003 on Ebay for $40 delivered. Over the years I have been very happy with my transactions on Ebay and have never been disappointed. There were many times I walked away without buying but never disappointed.

Since you feel that 2003 will run fine on my XP with Office 2002, I am moving along with it.
1. Why should it be installed in other than the default directory?
2. Will it recognize Outlook 2002 and upgrade or will I have to import the .pst file information.
3. Might it see 2002 and give the option of going on as an upgrade?
4. Does 2003 use a .pst file?

I am running a Dell 8200 with 500 megs of original memory. As soon as I have time to look to see if I have room, I'll contact you for memory.

Rusty

1.  To not conflict.

2.  When you open 2003, it MAY see '02 and ask you.  If it doesn't, then you'll need to import.

3.  Not as an upgrade unless you're buying an upgrade version of the software.

4.  Yes.