Data loss caused by Entourage X

[Thoires]

Version: Older version
Operating System: Older version
Processor: Power PC

I am using OSX 10.3.9 and Microsoft Office 2001. Both worked fine until this morning when I opened Entourage and it welcomed me to Entourage X (which I hadn't asked for). I closed the Office Assistant that was trying to register me and found that all the data in my Entourage had been wiped. Then the Microsft Helpline said my version was obsolete so they couldn't help and they hung up on me. I daren't close Entourage for fear of making the loss permanent, but how can I get the data back? I'm terrified as it's not backed it up and without the data I am sunk. I can't believe this has happened, just as I was about to buy a new computer!

 

[Ed Kimball]

Version: Older version
Operating System: Older version
Processor: Power PC

I am using OSX 10.3.9 and Microsoft Office 2001. Both worked fine until this
morning when I opened Entourage and it welcomed me to Entourage X (which I
hadn't asked for). I closed the Office Assistant that was trying to register
me and found that all the data in my Entourage had been wiped. Then the
Microsft Helpline said my version was obsolete so they couldn't help and they
hung up on me. I daren't close Entourage for fear of making the loss
permanent, but how can I get the data back? I'm terrified as it's not backed
it up and without the data I am sunk. I can't believe this has happened, just
as I was about to buy a new computer!

Usually this happens because the user had deleted or moved the Microsoft
User Data folder or the Office X Identities folder inside it, so Entourage
"helpfully" created a new one. Hopefully you can find your old one via a
search or on a backup.

 

[Thoires]

That sounds potentially reassuring, and thank you very much, but how on earth do I do this? I do still have the Microsoft User Data Folder in Documents, but what do I do with it to recreate an Entourage set up I can use?

 

[Thoires]

That sounds potentially reassuring, and thank you very much, but how on earth do I do this? I do still have the Microsoft User Data Folder in Documents, but what do I do with it to recreate an Entourage set up I can use?

 

[Ed Kimball]

That sounds potentially reassuring, and thank you very much, but how on earth
do I do this? I do still have the Microsoft User Data Folder in Documents, but
what do I do with it to recreate an Entourage set up I can use?

You have to find the former MUD or Office X Identities folder, not the
(near) empty one that Entourage created for you.

You can use the Find command in the Finder to see where you might have the
Identities folder, or you can look on any backups that you have created. (I
hope you keep backups!)

 

[Diane Ross]

I am using OSX 10.3.9 and Microsoft Office 2001. Both worked fine until this
morning when I opened Entourage and it welcomed me to Entourage X (which I
hadn't asked for). I closed the Office Assistant that was trying to register
me and found that all the data in my Entourage had been wiped. Then the
Microsft Helpline said my version was obsolete so they couldn't help and they
hung up on me. I daren't close Entourage for fear of making the loss
permanent, but how can I get the data back? I'm terrified as it's not backed
it up and without the data I am sunk. I can't believe this has happened, just
as I was about to buy a new computer!

This is strange....

Why are you using an older version Entourage 2001 when you had Entourage X
on your computer, or was this a demo?

If you look in your Application folder, do you see both Office 2001 and
Office X?

If you look inside your Microsoft User Data folder in Documents do you see
the Office 2001 Identities folder? Do you se an Office X Identities folder?

I'm guessing that somehow Entourage X was launched and a new Identity was
created. If you launch Entourage 2001, it should open back up in your "Main"
Identity created in 2001.

Be sure to check the trash can for your missing Identity.