Can't find .pst files

Win XP Home, MS Office 2007, Outlook

I'll try to keep this simple even tho it's frustrating as hell.

Evidently, someone, somehow deleted some files from a computer. One folder may have contained the Outlook password. This employee
now, can't retrieve her email. Our IT guy is out sick, I'm fairly savvy with OS's and harware so I'm trying to fix the problem.
I tried creating another account but that didn't work.
For my next trick, I trying to backup all the .pst files, uninstall/reinstall the program and then return the files.

Problem.... can't find the .pst files.... anywhere.

Checked default location.... nothing.

Yet, open the Outlook program and all the emails. including attachments are all there.

Anybody tell me where they're hiding at?

I assume you are searching for Hidden and System files when looking for the .pst files. It is also possible that the files are on a network shared drive or folder. When you open Outlook, where does it say the files are located? Also, if you are using Outlook with Microsoft Exchange Server, the e-mails may be stored on the server.

No server.

Outlook says default is C:/Documents and Settings/her username/..../Microsoft/Outlook/Outlook.pst

I have the "show hidden files" checked.

The Outlook folder is there but nothing in it.

There are three Hide File options in control panel->folder options->view tab. Disable all of em;)

Check for .ost files also.

Disabled them all. A number of new folders came up but nothing with any .pst extensions

Control Panel->MAIL icon->Data Files will tell you were they are stored.

In order to see all the hidden files/folders:
on the View tab in Folder Options "Hide protected..." and "Hide empty drives... " should be unchecked and under Hidden files and Folders "Show Hidden Files and Folders..." should be checked. .

And if you use the ORiginal XP Search (Not the Desktop Search) and use "*.pst" as your search criteria what happens here? being sure that search in System and Hidden folders is enabled. (this is separate to the system setting)

There is an explanation for you not seeing the PST's in the nominated folder.. there should be something there if the account type was pop/SMTP and IMAP .. but depending on domain and exchange settings you may or may not have a local PST. yeh - I did read that there is no Server.

Quote:

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One folder may have contained the Outlook password.

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I take it that this is the real issue? Which password? the logon for the POP/SMTP server?
This person who deleted the files was smart enough to empty /bypass the recycle bin?