Could not open that feature error message

[anewman143]

After reading on several boards, I can't seem to find a solution for this problem. I'm running a G5 iMac running Mac OS X 10.5.2

I installed Office 2008 over a previous 2004 installation and all appeared fine. But...I get the above error message as soon as Entourage opens and clicking on just about anything gets that modal dialog over and over and I have to force-quit to get out.

Now, I have read about multiple Daemons (I deleted them) as well as the option of deleting a series of plist files and folders (I deleted them too), but there has been no change.

Is there any other solution out there? My 2004 install is already trashed, so can't go back. Repaired permissions (I do this after just about any major install or OS upgrade) and no love there either...

Ideas???

Thanks!

Adam

 

[Diane Ross]

After reading on several boards, I can't seem to find a solution for this
problem. I'm running a G5 iMac running Mac OS X 10.5.2

I installed Office 2008 over a previous 2004 installation and all appeared
fine. But...I get the above error message as soon as Entourage opens and
clicking on just about anything gets that modal dialog over and over and I
have to force-quit to get out.

Now, I have read about multiple Daemons (I deleted them) as well as the option
of deleting a series of plist files and folders (I deleted them too), but
there has been no change.

Is there any other solution out there? My 2004 install is already trashed, so
can't go back. Repaired permissions (I do this after just about any major
install or OS upgrade) and no love there either...

Test in a new User and report back.

Go to System Preferences --> Create a New User in Accounts. Switch to the
New User by logging out/in or use Fast User Switching. Test Office there.

 

[Diane Ross]

After reading on several boards, I can't seem to find a solution for this
problem. I'm running a G5 iMac running Mac OS X 10.5.2

How did you install Leopard?

1. Upgrade Mac OS X (the default upgrade method)
2. Archive and Install
3. Erase and Install


If you updated Leopard did you use the Software updater or did you download
the combo 10.5.2 updater.

 

[anewman143]

Diane

When I upgraded to Leopard, I believe that I just did an upgrade. Then, when any further Leopard upgrades came along, I used software update - didn't download the combo updateer.

In the meantime, when I get home, I'll try creating a new account and report back. I can certainly also download the combo updater and apply it...

Thanks!

Adam

 

[Diane Ross]

When I upgraded to Leopard, I believe that I just did an upgrade. Then, when
any further Leopard upgrades came along, I used software update - didn't
download the combo updateer.

The upgrade method has caused the most problems for users. It's just not as
clean thus resulting in odd problems.

Re-installing the combination update can replace components that were
damaged during the initial update process. The incremental updaters through
software update do not.

More info on why applying the combo updater helps:

In the meantime, when I get home, I'll try creating a new account and report
back. I can certainly also download the combo updater and apply it...

Please, let me know what you find.

 

[anewman143]

Well - mixed results.

I first created a new account and entourage opened and worked just fine.
I then logged out and back into my main account, downloaded the combo updater, applied it, restarted...and got the same error message. No change at all. Only one database daemon running in my login items.

Ideas?

 

[Diane Ross]

I first created a new account and entourage opened and worked just fine.
I then logged out and back into my main account, downloaded the combo updater,
applied it, restarted...and got the same error message. No change at all. Only
one database daemon running in my login items.

I need to be clear on the word "account". Did you create a new User in
System Preferences and are calling this an account, or did you create a new
Identity in Entourage and are calling this an account?

If you did create a new User in System Preferences, then....

This tells us that the problem is not your base OS files, but your User's
folder. There are steps for tracking down the problem, but if you are
experiencing other issues with other applications, it might be easier to
move to a new User.

Troubleshooting Your User Account for a Problem

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot/test_user.html>

If you created a new Identity in Entourage, then it's your old Identity
that's the problem. Try rebuilding your database.

 

[anewman143]

Diane
My bad - I used "new account" to mean a new user in system prefs (I'm an experienced mac beta tester - I should know better than to use non-standard terms...sorry!), so I know that the install much be OK, since the problem only arises with my "original" identity that I had been using for years in my main user account.
I'll take a look at the "troubleshooting your user account for a problem" page and see if that helps. I'm not having problems with ANY other apps, don't have any haxies installed, so don't think that's the problem.
From the trouble shooting page, one of the options that they recommend trying is deleting ALL the preferences files (or moving them anyway) and then testing them adding them back bit-by-bit. That is an INCREDIBLY onerous task...there are literally HUNDREDS of files in there - I certainly hope that won't be necessary.
Looks like it might just be time to switch to Apple's mail.app if Entourage is going to be this difficult to get working. UGH!

Adam

 

[anewman143]

OK...an update. I exported my main identity and then created a new identity. Entourage starts up fine - no error message.

I then import my old "main identity" into the new one and all my old messages and folders appear to have imported fine. None of my rules did.

The question I have now is: how do I make my imported identity my new main identity? I need to do this so that when I check email, it doesn't put all my new email in my "main" inbox instead of in the inbox from my old imported identity...does that make sense?

Perhaps (just brainstorming here) I could move the entire folder structure from the imported identity to the "main" one...I suppose that could work.

I'll let you know, unless you have a better suggestion...

Adam

 

[Diane Ross]

OK...an update. I exported my main identity and then created a new identity.
Entourage starts up fine - no error message.

Seems like another example of a bad import. What size is your old Identity?
If it's small enough for an upload, would you be willing to share it for
testing. This is one of the hardest features to test because of the limited
number of beta testers.

I then import my old "main identity" into the new one and all my old messages
and folders appear to have imported fine. None of my rules did.

You can copy over your Rules and Signature files.

The question I have now is: how do I make my imported identity my new main
identity? I need to do this so that when I check email, it doesn't put all my
new email in my "main" inbox instead of in the inbox from my old imported
identity...does that make sense?

The Identity that is open in Entourage is your Main Identity. The name
'main' is just the default name. any Identity can be the default....does
that make sense?

Perhaps (just brainstorming here) I could move the entire folder structure
from the imported identity to the "main" one...I suppose that could work.

Entourage only sees the Identity that is selected. Don't worry about the old
one.

 

[anewman143]

Diane
Not sure why it would be a bad import problem as you describe - my old identity imported just fine, other than no rules coming over. The folder structure of all my old messages was intact. I would normally be happy to share the files, but I've got literally thousands of old emails in it - obviously including some confidential info, so I'm not sure how to share it.

As far as which identity is open, I understand your posting. The problem here is that the now imported file structure is listed under "mail identity.xxx"...so it was just easiest to move the folders from the imported identity to the new "main"...

At least now everything appears to be where it needs to be!

Where are my old rules and signature files? Would they not have been copied over when I upgraded to 2008?? I'd sure like to not have to re-create them from scratch...

Thanks for all of your help. Given the problems with this transition from 2004-2008 of Entourage, I'm still strongly considering moving to Apple's mail.app

Adam

 

[Diane Ross]

Where are my old rules and signature files? Would they not have been copied
over when I upgraded to 2008?? I'd sure like to not have to re-create them
from scratch...

They should have imported. Open your Microsoft User Data folder in
Documents. Find your old Identity. Option drag the Rules and Signature file
to your new Office 2008 Identity folder. This will copy over the file rather
than move it.

You will need to open each rule and re-select the destination folder.

 

[anewman143]

Gotcha - I'll check there and see if they are present. I'm using mail.app on my macbook and find it more than adequate for my needs - and it syncs with my iPhone seamlessly...

So I've got a decision to make I suppose.

You have been a SUPER help in all of this. REALLY appreciate you help.

Adam