All mail and accounts and rules GONE!

[GeorgeCarvill]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel
Email Client: pop

I have been working with Entourage all day, sorting out the mail I have imported from my old XP-Outlook system. Every thing was working fine.

I shut down my MacBook. When I restarted it was like I was a new user. Everything was gone -- except addresses and calendar stuff because it was also in iCal and the Address book.

What happened? How do I get it back? And if I can't get it back, what's my assurance it won't happen again!?!

 

[Diane Ross]

I have been working with Entourage all day, sorting out the mail I have
imported from my old XP-Outlook system. Every thing was working fine.

I shut down my MacBook. When I restarted it was like I was a new user.
Everything was gone -- except addresses and calendar stuff because it was also
in iCal and the Address book.

If you had Time Machine backup your Microsoft User Data folder, you might be
able to get it back from there.

What happened? How do I get it back? And if I can't get it back, what's my
assurance it won't happen again!?!

When you shut down, did you use the Shut down command or just power off? IF
an application is not quit correctly, or the system shuts down suddenly your
files might not be saved. Sometimes they are put in a file called
lost+found. Usually, when Entourage opens in a new Identity, it's user
error.

Entourage expects the folder to be in your Documents folder. For OS X users,
that's the Documents folder in your User's folder.

Most likely you have accidentally moved your data. Hopefully, you have not
deleted the file. If you have deleted the trash, it's gone. Sorry!

Select Switch Identity (under Entourage in the Menu bar) and see if your old
identity is still listed.

To find your old database, search for "Microsoft User Data" (without the
quotes).

If you have not used a new identity in Entourage, then copy the entire
Microsoft User Data folder to the correct location.

Fix if you have more than one Microsoft User Data Folder...

Move the entire identity folder you want to use to the Office Identities
folder that Entourage is recognizing. Your identity is named "Main" by
default. Be sure to rename one so you do not overwrite. Your identity folder
can contain more than one identity. Switch Identities to view your old mail.
If you have not used the new identity, delete it. If you have used it and
want to combine the new mail with your original database, drag each folder
to the desktop from one identity. This creates an MBOX file. Switch
identities. Drag the MBOX files into the folder window of Entourage.

You can delete the old folder after you are satisfied with the transfer.

Sometimes updating software (including the OS) can cause problems where
files go missing. See this link for help finding 'lost' files.

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot/crashes.html#crash15>

 

[GeorgeCarvill]

Thank you.

Last night (and into the wee hours) I was able to mostly rebuild things since the files I used to transfer mail were still available and I am not yet deleting mail from the server. Only things I am missing are copies of messages I sent.

I have time machine, but didn't have the disk plugged in figuring it would be a waste while I was "moving into" the new machine.

I did a search and did find the folder in the trash, but several others as well. So I'm a little confused. I poked around and tried some renaming and identity changing, but didn't really sort things out. I'm good to go as is. But still wondering what happened. My best guess is that I moved the machine from one room to another and unplugged the ethernet, thus switching to the wireless.

But here's what I found...

There is a "Main Identity" folder in the following locations:
george >library>caches>metadata>microsoft>entourage>2004
has a bunch of subfolders eventually getting to actual message files

george>documents>ats>microsoft user data>office 2004 identies
Has database, mailing lists, rules, signatures

george>documents>microsoft user data>office 2004 identies
Has database, mailing lists, rules, signatures

george>documents>system>microsoft user data>office 2004 identies
Has database, mailing lists, rules, signatures

 

[Diane Ross]

Last night (and into the wee hours) I was able to mostly rebuild things since
the files I used to transfer mail were still available and I am not yet
deleting mail from the server. Only things I am missing are copies of messages
I sent.

That's good news.

I have time machine, but didn't have the disk plugged in figuring it would be
a waste while I was "moving into" the new machine.

FWIW, using Time Machine with Entourage is not a good idea. Time Machine
backs up while the database is being used and this can result in a corrupt
backup. There are two ways to get around this. See both articles:

Entourage and Time Machine (creates chronological backup of Identity can be
used by both Tiger and Leopard)

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/01/entourage_and_time_machine.html>

Alternative method to use Entourage and Time Machine (does a once a day or
whatever time period you select)

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/01/alternative_method_to_use_entourage_
and_time_machine.html>

I did a search and did find the folder in the trash, but several others as
well. So I'm a little confused. I poked around and tried some renaming and
identity changing, but didn't really sort things out. I'm good to go as is.
But still wondering what happened. My best guess is that I moved the machine
from one room to another and unplugged the ethernet, thus switching to the
wireless.

Sounds like the Finder crashed and dumped your data in the trash. At least
the trash had not been emptied.

But here's what I found...

There is a "Main Identity" folder in the following locations:
george >library>caches>metadata>microsoft>entourage>2004
has a bunch of subfolders eventually getting to actual message files

This is the cache file used by Spotlight. The contents are the first 75K of
a message body.

george>documents>ats>microsoft user data>office 2004 identies
Has database, mailing lists, rules, signatures

george>documents>microsoft user data>office 2004 identies
Has database, mailing lists, rules, signatures

george>documents>system>microsoft user data>office 2004 identies
Has database, mailing lists, rules, signatures

Hmmm, you should have only one Documents folder. This is an OSX default
feature. Entourage will not find your data in any folder other than the
User's Documents folder.

Microsoft Entourage installs the Microsoft User Data folder (MUD) in your
User's Document folder. Inside this folder is your Identity (named Main by
default). All of your mail, contacts, etc are stored here. If you move this
folder, Entourage will not know where your mail is located and will open
with a new default identity that will be blank.

I have five basics every Entourage user should know. Where your data is
located is one of the five.

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/get_started/index.html>

You can have multiple Identities in the Office 2004 Identities folder:

Examples:
Main
Test
Archive

I have a few tips and links posted to help new users here:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/new2mac/index.html>