Database won't rebuild

[jg]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

Database Utility freezes on Database rebuild Print Discussion

Deliberate
Oct 25, 2008
2:33pm
Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel
Email Client: pop account and exchange server account
I read the forum with exactly the same problem but the answer given was not clear to me.
When I try to Rebuild the database of my Entourage (almost 3 GB size), I get the dreaded "spinning rainbow ball" once it seems done. It used to get stuck on that for a while, but eventually I'd get the Database Successfully Rebuilt message, but lately it never stops spinning. I've left it for 4+ hours and it the progream never confirmed the rebuild.
I have started a new main identity with my server email etc and that is 2GB but i need to get my POP account folders back.

i have backed up using time machine as well as using a WD hard drive.

I went back to time machine about 2 weeks before the database rebuild failed (and which was working perfectly) but even that would not rebuild.
I need my POP account folders back desperately!

Looking forward to some help please

 

[Diane Ross]

I have started a new main identity with my server email etc and that is 2GB
but i need to get my POP account folders back.

Will the old Identity open? You can export your data using either Entourage
archive (.rge) file or as MBOX. How to manually move your data. (when
import fails and/or you need to move to a new Identity same version or
revert to an older version)

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/install/manual_install.html>

It's possible the rebuild worked before because there was enough disk space.
If you tried again on a drive with much large free space it might rebuild,
but it would be quicker to export than try this option.

i have backed up using time machine as well as using a WD hard drive.

It's advised by the Microsoft developers not to let Time Machine backup your
Entourage database. If the database is copied while being used, the backup
could be corrupt. You can set the Time Machine to exclude the Microsoft User
Data folder and create an iCal event to copy it over at night while not in
use so you get one backup daily in Time Machine.

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>

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>

--
Diane
Entourage Help Page <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/>
Entourage Help Blog <http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/>
YouTalk <http://tinyurl.com/bzcrjy> <-- Entourage mailing list
Twitter: follow <http://twitter.com/entouragehelp>

 

[Kerry]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

Database Utility freezes on Database rebuild Print Discussion

Deliberate
Oct 25, 2008
2:33pm
Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel
Email Client: pop account and exchange server account
I read the forum with exactly the same problem but the answer given was not clear to me.
When I try to Rebuild the database of my Entourage (almost 3 GB size), I get the dreaded "spinning rainbow ball" once it seems done. It used to get stuck on that for a while, but eventually I'd get the Database SuccessfullyRebuilt message, but lately it never stops spinning. I've left it for 4+ hours and it the progream never confirmed the rebuild.
I have started a new main identity with my server email etc and that is 2GB but i need to get my POP account folders back.

i have backed up using time machine as well as using a WD hard drive.

I went back to time machine about 2 weeks before the database rebuild failed (and which was working perfectly) but even that would not rebuild.
I need my POP account folders back desperately!

Looking forward to some help please

You've come across something that is nasty in Entourage and is a known
issue. Follow the recommendations in the replies here however, I'd now
develop a going forward strategy if you continue to use Entourage (and
that might be part of your strategy). If you scan the forums all the
info you need is there to do this. Actually, all the info is in this
Newsgroup but you might want to check out others including
apple.com's support and forums. One other thing, if you feel like
spending the time - call Microsoft tech support and ask them to
resolve the problem. They won't be able to so your trouble ticket
won't be used nor cost you anything and can be re-activated after they
close it as unresolved. You can outline the impact this has had on you
and ask that it be forwarded into their reporting system.

 

[jg]

thanks for your help.
I have taken your advice and use your method to back up Entourage.
I don't understand what you mean about "can i open the old identity? i try to open my back up copies of Main identity and that is when i get the rebuild data base rainbow ball. i guess i will l need to get i touch with Microsoft as Kerry says. it doesn't sound very likely that i will ever get my old emails back!

 

[Diane Ross]

I don't understand what you mean about "can i open the old identity? i try to
open my back up copies of Main identity and that is when i get the rebuild
data base rainbow ball.

Your Identity is not opening so you will have to use rebuild to recover.
Rebuild success will depend on the amount of free space that you have and
how severe the corruption is in your database.

i guess i will l need to get i touch with Microsoft as
Kerry says. it doesn't sound very likely that i will ever get my old emails
back!

There isn't much Microsoft can do other than advice you to rebuild. Since
your database is small enough to burn to DVD, if you are unable to rebuild,
then you could send it to me for recovery. If you have the space on your
drive you should be able to rebuild. How much free space do you have?

Make a duplicate in the Finder first as additional backup. A rebuild does
make a duplicate, but sometimes in the process the original and backup get
merged resulting in total disaster. It's rare but it happens.

How to rebuild:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/rebuild.html>