Corrupt Database does not show database utility

[lulu21]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel
Email Client: pop

Hi everyone,

I have a serious problem with my email database. When I open Entourage it says: 'Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the problem, rebuild your database.'

Here is the problem. When I click OK, database utility launches but the corrupt database does NOT show up in the list of databases to even attempt to repair it. All other databases show up fine. Is there a maybe a way to force select the database that I need to repair ?

On another computer, exact same problem, BUT only 4 out of 7 databases show up in the list. Including 2 databases which have no problem at all, dont show up either.

Pls help, all my emails since 2001 are gone.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Diane Ross]

I have a serious problem with my email database. When I open Entourage it
says: 'Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the problem,
rebuild your database.'

Here is the problem. When I click OK, database utility launches but the
corrupt database does NOT show up in the list of databases to even attempt to
repair it. All other databases show up fine. Is there a maybe a way to force
select the database that I need to repair ?

If you hold the Option key when opening Entourage it should force the
selected Identity to rebuild. There would be no selecting.

Either move all other Identities out of the Identity folder or select the
correct Identity in the Switch Identity window and hold Option key when you
click OK.

 

[lulu21]

Hello Diane,

Thank you very much. Unfortunately, it doesnt work either. I moved all identities out of the folder and held the option key while launching Entourage and still the window comes asking you to select which identity to rebuild. But there is no identity in the list at all. (Since I moved all the other ones out). And the problematic database just does not show up.

Any other idea ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lulu21]

Same problem when I try to select the
correct Identity in the Switch Identity window and hold Option key when you
click OK.

 

[Diane Ross]

Thank you very much. Unfortunately, it doesnt work either. I moved all
identities out of the folder and held the option key while launching Entourage
and still the window comes asking you to select which identity to rebuild. But
there is no identity in the list at all. (Since I moved all the other ones
out). And the problematic database just does not show up.

Drag your Microsoft User Data folder to Shared. Create a new User in System
Preferences. Drag the MUD folder to the Documents folder now launch
Entourage with Option key help down. Let me know if this works.

 

[lulu21]

Nothing happens when I drag it to Shared. Could you please elaborate on what exactly you mean ?

I transferred the MUD folder to another computer, with another copy of Office 2008 installed, and there is exactly the same problem.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Diane Ross]

Nothing happens when I drag it to Shared. Could you please elaborate on what
exactly you mean ?

Since you essentially did the test by transferring it to another computer,
you can skip this. Basically, you are moving the MUD folder to Shared so it
will be visible from another User. It's suspicious that you cannot drag it
to shared. Check permissions on the Identity folder as well.

My Microsoft User Data folder and all enclosing folders and files:

Owner: diane (shows locked if you need to change click on the lock, change
then lock)
Access: Read & Write
Group: diane
Access: Read only
Other: Read only

I transferred the MUD folder to another computer, with another copy of Office
2008 installed, and there is exactly the same problem.

Check permissions using Get Info on the database file. Compare it to the
ones you can see.

It should show:

Name: your user name
Privilege: Read & Write

 

[lulu21]

Hello Diane,

I checked and verified what you suggested, however it still doesnt work.

I tried to repair the database with Office 2004, which obviously didnt work, BUT the database utility could see the database and at least tried to repair it. So there should be a way ?

Any other ideas please ? I am so in need of my emails.

Many thanks.

 

[Diane Ross]

Any other ideas please ? I am so in need of my emails.

Can you take a screen shot of your rebuild window showing the Identity not
available and a screen shot of your Office 2008 Identities folder to show
contents. Send these to me off list and I will get a questionnaire to you so
I can report this to the developers.

BTW, how large is your database?

Send me an email:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/support_options/email.html>

 

[Diane Ross]

I have a serious problem with my email database. When I open Entourage it
says: 'Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the problem,
rebuild your database.'

See subject "Corrupt Database does not show database utility" posted April
1, 2008.

 

[lulu21]

Will send you the screenshots. My database is 2.8GB.

I checked your other thread and replied there.

Thanks for your advise. Pls suggest something else I might try.

 

[Diane Ross]

Will send you the screenshots. My database is 2.8GB.

Have not received screenshots yet. If you have sent, try sending again.

Send me an email:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/support_options/email.html>

 

[lulu21]

I emailed you the screenshots. Did you receive them ?

Thanks.

 

[Diane Ross]

I emailed you the screenshots. Did you receive them ?

Yes. Will get back to you off list.