Changing Multiple *= On Same 2 Tables To Outer Joi

I'm trying to convert this statement to use left outer joins so it will be 2005 compatible.

select
convert(varchar(8),a.order_no),
a.order_ext,
a.line_no,
c.part_no,
a.order_seq,
a.customer_code,
b.date_shipped,
0,
a.seq_descript
from fm_orderline a, orders b, ord_list c, fm_ordhist d
where c.order_no = a.order_no
and c.order_ext = a.order_ext
and c.line_no = a.line_no
and c.order_no *= d.order_no
and c.order_ext *= d.order_ext
and c.line_no *= d.line_no
and b.order_no = c.order_no
and b.ext = c.order_ext
and d.line_no <> 999
and c.status = 'T'
group by
d.order_no,
convert(varchar(8),a.order_no),
a.order_ext,
a.line_no,
c.part_no,
a.order_seq,
a.customer_code,
b.date_shipped,
a.seq_descript
having d.order_no is null


I've tried this:
select
convert(varchar(8),a.order_no) as order_no,
a.order_ext,
a.line_no,
c.part_no,
a.order_seq,
a.customer_code,
b.date_shipped,
0,
a.seq_descript
from fm_orderline a, orders b,
ord_list c
left outer join fm_ordhist AS d on (c.order_no = d.order_no)
left outer join fm_ordhist AS d2 ON (c.order_ext = d2.order_ext)
left outer join fm_ordhist AS d3 ON (c.line_no = d3.line_no)
where c.order_no = a.order_no
and c.order_ext = a.order_ext
and c.line_no = a.line_no
and b.order_no = c.order_no
and b.ext = c.order_ext
and d.line_no <> 999
and c.status = 'T'

And various derivations of it(adding d2.line_no <> 999 and d3.line_no <> 999 to the where clause.) But it came up with different results than what I received when it was a *= query.

Can any gurus on here help me out?