I have a 5 GB nsf file that I am trying to copy to an external hard drive and when I try I get a message that there is not sufficient space on the external hard drive, but it is 320GB with only 25GB in use.
Is there a security issue with nsf files?
Utlimately, my goal is to migrate the nsf file to a pst file and use it on another computer loaded with Outlook. Any ideas on how best to do this?
I think there are free utilities out there for reading an nsf file into Outlook. First step is getting the file(s) (others needed besides the named user nsf file?) to an external drive so that I can see the file on the computer with outlook loaded.
Thanks for your help!
McK
Subject: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
Most external hard drives come formatted as FAT32, which has a file size limit of 4GB. Compact the database, zip it, and hope it shrinks smaller than 4GB.
Subject: RE: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
Thanks for solving the mystery Mr. Robinson! I think you have hit upon it. My mail file is over 5GB, and even when I zipped it I could not get it to copy… sounds as if I need to do some thinning out of attachments and then try again.
thanks a million!
Ever had experience with converting a notes file/database into Outlook?
McK
Subject: RE: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
Format your drive as NTFS, assuming you can copy off the existing data first, that way you won’t have to worry about file size in the future:-jmw
Subject: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
I can’t see how that error message makes sense given the context you described. Any chance you currently have the NSF open in Notes? If so, close it and try again. Are you sure about the size and the space available?
Subject: Sorry to hear you want to use Outlook. 
Subject: RE: Sorry to hear you want to use Outlook.
Not much of a choice, really. My home PC already has Outlook, and I need to merge my old Notes files with that so that I have everything in one place.
I don’t have the software to run Notes from my home PC.
After I get the file to copy, then I will have to go through the conversion process. Outlook does have a lot of holes …
Subject: RE: Sorry to hear you want to use Outlook.
"I don’t have the software to run Notes from my home PC"IBM Products
Or wait a few weeks and start using Notes 8!
Alan Lepofsky - IBM/Lotus
Learn more at my Lotus Notes Tips and Tricks Blog
LOTs of US working together to innovate for success
Subject: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
There are no security issues around external drives. Check the drive is not write-protected.
Are you trying to copy through Notes or the OS? If you are having problems creating a copy through Notes, try copying it to your local hard drive, quitting Notes, then using the OS to copy the file to the external drive - that way you eliminate the Notes client as potentially part of the problem.
Subject: RE: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
Thanks.
I copied other files to the external drive, so I know it is not write protected.
I was attempting to copy from MS Explorer … it let me copy all other notes files, but not the .nsf file with .nsf in the mail subdirectory.
Could it be the rights/authorization that I have? I am doing this copy offline from our Novell Client, at home without dialing into the VPN.
Any more thoughts/ideas?
Subject: RE: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
try zipping up the NSF and copy over the NSF. Does that work?
Knowing the formatting structure of the drives might explain it.
Subject: RE: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
Thanks. I will try that.
Formatting structure? The external drive is just a store bought 320GB right out of the box. The .nsf file is from the Program Files\Lotus\Notes\data\mail directory. Running XP.
Perhaps it has something to do with Administrator authorization?
Confused …
Subject: RE: nsf File - cannot copy to external Hard Drive
well for example if the drive was a compressed drive and you tried to copy over a file that had medium encryption on the file would negate any compression by the drive and take up much more space.
Are you trying to copy the file while the server is still running? That would stop it as well.