Backing up Outlook calendar

Q. I've lost all the data for my Outlook calendar because of a system crash while upgrading from Windows 98 to XP. I backed up all my data files except Outlook.
I use the Outlook calendar only. I had lots of info in my calendar. I never could figure out how to back it up. Do you have any idea what file to back up?
Also, I used to be able to get it to auto boot with 98, but the instructions for doing it don't seem to work in XP. Any idea how to get Outlook to auto boot in XP? I have XP Home.
A. Since you only use the Calendar module in Outlook, backups will be easy to make in Windows XP, and setting your computer to run Outlook each time your computer is turned on is easier still. Both require the same tool, the Search command in the Windows XP Start menu.
You need to search for the Outlook software and then make a shortcut for that program to store in the list of programs that start when the machine is booted.
To do this you need to call up the Search command, type in Outlook.exe and click OK. This will call up a window with a line pointing to the program. Right-click the line and select the Make Shortcut option in the pop-up list. This will create an icon pointing to Outlook and place it on your desktop.
Now, with nothing else running, right-click on the Start button and select Explore. This brings up a Window with a list of all the folders on your machine with one called Start Menu highlighted. Click it open and then click the + sign alongside Programs. In this display you will find an icon for a folder called Startup. Drag the icon for your new Outlook shortcut from the desktop into that folder, and the program will run each time the machine runs.
Same drill for backups. Just type in Outlook.pst in the Search box to call up the default master data file for Outlook. Give that line a right-click and select Copy. Now go to the desktop and right-click and select Paste. The new icon will be a copy of your calendar, ready to drag to a floppy disk, a CD-R, a thumb drive or whatever other medium you use for backup storage.
That's my way. There's also the Microsoft way to make backups, which is more complicated than the solution I offer. People with more complicated Outlook setups should check it out at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scidkb;en-us;168644.
Q. Every time I try to log on to the Internet using either my SBC Yahoo ISP icon or the Microsoft Internet Explorer icon, I get those "can't find server" screens. Then I have to stick a pen in the modem reset button and wait for it to reset.
Not done yet -- I have to go to the SBC network site, type in my IP number and log in to the network. Only now can I finally go to any site like a normal person!
I had my modem on the floor, but got tired of crawling under my desk every day. I've taken this to SBC several times already. I get answers varying from "it sometimes is that way" to delivery of a new modem. But nothing has worked. Do you have the secret answer that even SBC can't provide?
A. They say fools rush in where angels fear to tread, so check out the name atop this column. It is a fool.
Your problem is common far beyond the Midwest's SBC Yahoo service. The answer that the phone company doesn't want to give is that you either need a new computer or you should restore your current machine to its out-of-the-box state using the included restore discs.
In my personal experience and while visiting with friends who get their Web access through SBC Yahoo, I've found that these hang-ups are associated with overloaded system resources.
As you note these glitches require a user to click on the little rocket ship icon and then follow the connection repair prompts to restore the connection. The reason it happens is that some DSL connections conserve bandwidth by putting inactive users aside and concentrating on those who are currently active.
It is supposed to kick back to life instantly when a user goes active, but I have found that when machines lack horsepower they get dropped back to where they need a fresh logon, which is happening to you.
As a side though, if your machine is older and lacks memory, you should add a RAM chip to increase the available resources.
XContact Jim Coates via e-mail at jcoatestribune.com or via snail mail at the Chicago Tribune, Room 400, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60611.