A while back I went over using a "dialtone" method to restore Exchange from a corrupt store. I received a few emails about a lingering issue that will occur with Outlook 2003 regarding Outlook Recovery Mode.

After restoring Exchange using the dialtone method, everytime you open Outlook 2003, you will be notified that Outlook is running in recovery mode. Older versions of Outlook may also startup normally but then go into Offline mode.

The problem occurs because Outlook creates a cache that holds copies of all messages. If the Exchange server is ever unavailable the user will still have access to their messages. The cache is located in a file with the .OST extension. The OST is an encrypted file that is linked to the users mailbox. When you perform the dialtone resotre, you are in fact creating a new database, with new mailboxes however, the OST is still linked to the old mailbox. To resolve this issue, we must get rid of the old OST and create a new one. To do this begin by opening Outlook and then select Tools | E-Mail Accounts.

Select to View or Change an Existing Account, then select the Microsoft Exchange account and select Change. Press the More Settings button and then go to the Advanced tab. Uncheck Use Cached Exchange Mode.

Upon clicking Next, you will be promted with the following error.

Click OK, but DO NOT restart Outlook like it tells you too! Instead Click the Offline Folder File Settings button and press the Disable Offline Use button.

You will be warned that your OST file will be removed from the profile, click Yes to proceed. Now close Outlook and re-open it again. Again, go to Tools | E-Mail Accounts and select View or Change an Existing Account. Click the More Settings button and under the Advanced tab, check the box next to Use Cached Exchange Mode. Press the Offile Folder File Settings button and enter a new name for the OST file.

You cannot use the old OST file, so use a different name. Outlook will tell you that the OST file cannot be found and ask you if you wish to create a new one, select Yes and finish the wizard. The next time you restart Outlook a new OST will be created and linked to the new mailbox.