entourage database inaccessible

[kismet]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Intel
Email Client: pop

Greetings,

I've searched and tried various solutions suggested here, but nothing is working. Please help if you can. I have already rebuilt permissions, checked HD integrity and repaired as necessary.

I'm on a Macbook Pro, OS 10.4.11, Office 2008 with Entourage 12.1.5 with a 2.55G database file.

Problem:
After a recent system crash recovery I am unable to launch Entourage. The error message is: "Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the problem, rebuild your database".

The rebuild utility is then launched and no matter which choice I make in the utility (have tried them all), after about a minute it gives me the message, "An error has occurred while trying to rebuild your database". That's it.

As recommended I have moved the Main Identity folder (as well as the MUD) to the desktop in order to create a new main identity. When trying to launch Entourage after this exactly the same thing occurs, except there is no identity to choose in the rebuild utility. Obviously if I can't launch the application I cannot manually create a new ID.

As a potentially important side note, Word and Excel also will not launch. Word tries and then just disappears and Excel says it can't launch due to a database problem. Powerpoint does launch, but with a database error warning. Yes, I do see the recurring theme here but don't know what to do.

Thanks in advance.

 

[kismet]

BUMP for HEEEEELLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!

 

[Diane Ross]

After a recent system crash recovery I am unable to launch Entourage. The
error message is: "Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the
problem, rebuild your database".

Since Entourage will not launch in a new Identity, let's test in a new User.
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.

If it fails there do a re-install of Office. Don't open any Office
applications until you complete the install and update process. Be sure to
restart between updates.

1) Drag the Office for Mac folder in the root application folder to the
trash and delete it.

2) Log out/in with Shift key down then insert your DVD. This quits all
startup applications including the hidden ones.

3) Run the installer ( I believe your CD Key will still be stored in memory)
as soon as it finishes the install the Microsoft AutoUpdate will pop up in
the Dock. It's a green circle icon. Select to keep in Dock. Do not do
further updates until you restart.

4) After restarting you will want to log into your account again with the
Shift key down. Select the MAU from the dock and let it install. It will
install the new AutoUpdate 2.1.1. Restart.

5) Same process after restarting log in with Shift key down. Select the MAU
and it will install the 12.1.0 SP1 updater. Restart

6) Same process...shift key down. Run the MAU and it will install 12.1.5.

7) Restart

8) Now try opening Entourage. You should be able to drag back in your
Identity into the new Microsoft User Data folder. However, if you database
was also corrupted you will need to use a backup copy. You could try
rebuilding in the new install if you don't have a backup.

Let me know how this goes.

BUMP for HEEEEELLLLPPPPPP!!!!!!!

This is not an official Microsoft support forum. We are your peers. You
bumped in less than 5 hrs. Be glad you got help this quickly. Most forums I
post in don't get answers for days.

 

[kismet]

Diane,

sorry...been fighting this for days....

Looks like I'l need to reinstall and will report back then. Thanks for your help.

 

[kismet]

Followed all your instructions with the exception of safe-boots between updates as I couldn't connect to the web to retrieve the updates when safe booted. Updates were:
12.1.0 SP1, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, but no 12.1.5 apears available.

All Office apps now boot, including Entourage which tries to retrieve mail from various accounts, succeeds to a point then the error: "Database daemon has encountered an unknown error. The daemon will need to quit and Entourage may need to be force quit." Upon clicking OK the application shuts down. Until this error message shows up the app appears to work and I can read and retrieve mail including older ones (which is what I'm attempting to preserve).

I attempted to both rebuild and compact the database using the utility. Both were stopped in their tracks with, "An error occurred while attempting to rebuild[compact] your database.

Anything else to try?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Diane Ross]

Followed all your instructions with the exception of safe-boots between
updates as I couldn't connect to the web to retrieve the updates when safe
booted. Updates were:
12.1.0 SP1, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, but no 12.1.5 apears available.

By not logging out/in with Shift key down you are defeating one of the most
important steps.

Are you saying the Microsoft AutoUpdater didn't connect? You can try
downloading manually the updates. I have the links listed here.

All Office apps now boot, including Entourage which tries to retrieve mail
from various accounts, succeeds to a point then the error: "Database daemon
has encountered an unknown error. The daemon will need to quit and Entourage
may need to be force quit." Upon clicking OK the application shuts down. Until
this error message shows up the app appears to work and I can read and
retrieve mail including older ones (which is what I'm attempting to preserve).

How large is your database?

I attempted to both rebuild and compact the database using the utility. Both
were stopped in their tracks with, "An error occurred while attempting to
rebuild[compact] your database.

Anything else to try?

As long as you can open your Identity, you can salvage your data. 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>

If you are unable to move into a new Identity, I do this as a consultant.
You can contact me off list if you need help.

dianeross at mvps dot org <-- fix before replying.

Prefix your subject with: newsgroup response

 

[kismet]

One more shot before I torment you off-list!

Correct. MAU would not connect in safe boot which.

My database is 2.55g.

I manually downloaded and installed in safe-boot mode the 12.1.5 update. Do I need to somehow 'un-do' and manually reinstall the others in order to have them install in safe boot?

New steps taken (from your link above):
Ran first setup wizard - replaced new main ID with old, still getting database daemon error when modifying DB such as getting new mail or attempting to delete from the deleted mail folder.

Ran Setup Assistant - When I browse to the old main identity (on the desktop) to import, it says, in the top of the dialog box, "The following Entourage X identities were found" and shows the path. However, in the list for selecting the identities to import it shows 'No main identities found", and the right arrow is unavailable to continue the process.

Ran contact export to txt. file - Successful!

Ran export of Mail and contacts to .rgb file - receive message, "there is a problem saving one of your messages. Run database utility" [could a single message be the culprit in all this perhaps?]

Ran the 'export folder' script as recommended - it generates the database daemon error after getting through 7.8mb of the inbox.

Could it be there's something in my inbox causing all this? or???

Thanks again.

 

[kismet]

one more thing....

opened entourage after a safe boot. this initiated the 'upgrading messages and ID' dialog. any attempt to modify the db still generates daemon error.

 

[Diane Ross]

Correct. MAU would not connect in safe boot which.

I never mentioned safe boot which is different than logging out/in with
Shift key down.

 

[kismet]

Ah! I misunderstood. Thought you meant restart with shift key down!

Should I uninstall and reinstall at this point?

K

:

Correct. MAU would not connect in safe boot which.

I never mentioned safe boot which is different than logging out/in with
Shift key down.





-- Diane

 

[Diane Ross]

Ah! I misunderstood. Thought you meant restart with shift key down!

Should I uninstall and reinstall at this point?

It probably wouldn't hurt. For good measure download the Apple combo updater
and run it before installing Office.

If you run into any errors see this page for help.

Install and Update Errors
<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/error/install_update.html>

Download the combo updater from Apple and run it again rather than using
Software Update. Doing so overwrites potentially problem-causing files.
Combo updaters will install on the same version as they¹re applying‹no need
to roll back or do a clean install.

Tiger:

Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo Update (PPC)
<http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateppc.html>

Mac OS X 10.4.11 Combo Update (Intel)

<http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411updateintel.html>

BTW, did we ever check to see how full your hd is? You need a minimum of 10%
for free space. The Activity Monitor in Utilities will show this info.

 

[kismet]

OK, Apple combo updater dl'd and installed.

Typically, as the admin on my computer, there is no log-in required on booting, so I can't really log-in with the shift key depressed (sorry if I'm missing something obvious).

What is it that logging in with the shift key down accomplishes? And is there another way to do it?

 

[kismet]

OK. Followed instructions to the letter. Set up to log in with shift key down after each restart, ran apple update maunally, installed Office and ran updates manually. Moved new main identity into MUD folder. Restarted. Open entourage....

Now when I try to open any mailbox in entourage I get 'Entourage cannot open the item due to an error - not enough memory.' I have read the suggested things to check and done them.

It will start to send/receive mail before generating "Database Daemon Fatal error - The Database Daemon has encountered an unknown error. The daemon will need to quit, and Entourage may need to be force quit."

It appears that the data is still there....

 

[Guest]

Edited to correct - sorry....

OK. Followed instructions to the letter. Set up to log in with shift key
down after each restart, ran apple update manually, installed Office and
ran updates manually. Moved old main identity into new MUD folder. Restarted.
Open entourage and it will open, but....





Now when I try to open any mailbox in entourage I get 'Entourage cannot
open the item due to an error - not enough memory.' I have read the suggested
things to check and done them.





It will start to send/receive mail before generating "Database Daemon
Fatal error - The Database Daemon has encountered an unknown error. The
daemon will need to quit, and Entourage may need to be force quit."





It appears that the data is still there....

 

[Ed Kimball]

OK, Apple combo updater dl'd and installed.

Typically, as the admin on my computer, there is no log-in required on
booting, so I can't really log-in with the shift key depressed (sorry if I'm
missing something obvious).

You can log out of your account (see the last command on the Apple menu) and
then re-login without restarting.

What is it that logging in with the shift key down accomplishes? And is there
another way to do it?

It prevents the programs that normally run at login (Login Items in the
Accounts System Preference) from running. Using the shift key at login is
really the easiest way to do this.

 

[Diane Ross]

You can log out of your account (see the last command on the Apple menu) and
then re-login without restarting.

Holding the Shift key down disables all startup items including the hidden
ones like the Microsoft Database daemon.

 

[Diane Ross]

Now when I try to open any mailbox in entourage I get 'Entourage cannot open
the item due to an error - not enough memory.' I have read the suggested
things to check and done them.

It will start to send/receive mail before generating "Database Daemon Fatal
error - The Database Daemon has encountered an unknown error. The daemon will
need to quit, and Entourage may need to be force quit."

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/error/text.html#fatal>

Does Entourage open in a new blank Identity? This will test to be sure you
are installed correctly.

I asked:

BTW, did we ever check to see how full your hd is? You need a minimum of 10%
for free space. The Activity Monitor in Utilities will show this info.

You didn't answer this question.

What version of Entourage did you import from, or is this your first time
use with Entourage?

In Startup Items in System Preferences do you see more than one Microsoft
Database daemon? If yes, delete them all and Entourage will create a new
one.

 

[Ed Kimball]

Holding the Shift key down disables all startup items including the hidden
ones like the Microsoft Database daemon.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[kismet]

Greetings again. With the holidays past and some other computer issues at least tempporarily solved, I'd love toget this one under control.

Diane,

I have tired everything that has been laid out in this thread and still it will start to work and shortly thereafter freeze and show the database daemon error. To answer your questions:

On my 100gb HD I have 15+gb of free space.
I have been using this version of Entourage - 12.1.5 - for quite some time without issues until now.
I do not have more than one database daemon.

Looking forward to hearing from you again, and thanks for all the help.

k

 

[William Smith [MVP]]

Greetings again. With the holidays past and some other computer
issues at least tempporarily solved, I'd love toget this one under
control.

Diane,

I have tired everything that has been laid out in this thread and
still it will start to work and shortly thereafter freeze and show
the database daemon error. To answer your questions:

On my 100gb HD I have 15+gb of free space. I have been using this
version of Entourage - 12.1.5 - for quite some time without issues
until now. I do not have more than one database daemon.

Looking forward to hearing from you again, and thanks for all the
help.

I've read through this whole thread and the gist that I'm getting is
that you had a corrupt Entourage Database and used the Database Utility
to repair it. However, you're still receiving Database errors.

The Database Utility simply does not detect and repair all problems. If
you've repaired the Database and are still having problems then I would
suggest that you begin migrating your information to a brand new
identity. If you continue to try using your existing identity then you
run the risk of losing information or, even worse, not being able to
open your Database again and losing everything.

If you start Entourage itself with the Shift key down then that should
temporarily stop and sending and receiving. As quickly as you can select
Entourage menu --> Work Offline. You may have to try this a few times.

Does this at least allow you to keep Entourage open without quitting?

--

bill

Entourage Help Page <http://entourage.mvps.org/>
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