entourage opens with new blank data

[viv]

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

I closed entourage today and shut down with no issues, but when I restarted this morning and was forced to upgrade Firefox upon opening that app, when I opened Entourage all data was gone, and it was asking me to go through the initial setup, which I quit. I have never set up a new identity - just used Main Identity. The database file shows 22.5MB, so I know there's something in there, but I cant seem to access it. (have been using for about 3 months, so this seems like it could be my email). Switching identities doesnt show any others set up (which makes sense), but this makes me nervous - has it been overwritten when I re-opened entourage?? Help (and thanks)...

 

[Diane Ross]

The database file shows 22.5MB, so I know there's something in there, but I
cant seem to access it.

Examples of a blank database
2004 --> 18.1 KB
2008 --> 22.6 MB

Entourage expects the Microsoft User Data folder to be in your Documents
folder. For OS X users, that's the Documents folder in your User's folder.
When Entourage opens in a new blank Identity, it's usually User error.

Most likely you have accidentally moved your data. Hopefully, you have not
deleted the file. If you have deleted the trash, it's gone. Sorry!

Select Switch Identity (under Entourage in the Menu bar) and see if your old
identity is still listed.

To find your old database, search for "Microsoft User Data" (without the
quotes).

If you have not used a new identity in Entourage, then copy the entire
Microsoft User Data folder to the correct location.

Fix if you have more than one Microsoft User Data Folder...

Move the entire identity folder you want to use to the Office Identities
folder that Entourage is recognizing. Your identity is named "Main" by
default. Be sure to rename one so you do not overwrite. Your identity folder
can contain more than one identity. Switch Identities to view your old mail.
If you have not used the new identity, delete it. If you have used it and
want to combine the new mail with your original database, drag each folder
to the desktop from one identity. This creates an MBOX file. Switch
identities. Drag the MBOX files into the folder window of Entourage.

You can delete the old folder after you are satisfied with the transfer.

Sometimes updating software (including the OS) can cause problems where
files go missing. See this link for help finding 'lost' files.

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot/crashes.html#crash15>

Hope this helps!

 

[viv]

The MS User data is in Documents folder, so I believe it is in the right place. So, given your examples of blank database sizes matching mine, I can conclude this one is blank, right?

In order to avoid this in the future do I need to rename my identity or set up a real user name? (I currently just use the default "new user")?

thanks again for clarifying.

Viv

 

[Ed Kimball]

The MS User data is in Documents folder, so I believe it is in the right
place. So, given your examples of blank database sizes matching mine, I can
conclude this one is blank, right?

In order to avoid this in the future do I need to rename my identity or set up
a real user name? (I currently just use the default "new user")?

thanks again for clarifying.

Viv

When whatever caused the problem happened, Entourage "helpfully" created a
new Identity for you in the right place, because it couldn't find the old
one. ("Helpfully" is in quotes because Entourage gave you no hint that it
was doing this for you. To my way of thinking, it completely misdiagnosed
the problem, which means it gave a poor solution.)

Quit Entourage, if it's running. Search for the folder Main Identity on all
your hard disks. If you find one that is not in the right place, move the
Main Identity into the current Office 2008 Identities.

If you can't find an old version of Main Identity anywhere, and you don't
have any backups, then you're out of luck.

 

[viv]

When whatever caused the problem happened, Entourage "helpfully" created a
new Identity for you in the right place, because it couldn't find the old
one. ("Helpfully" is in quotes because Entourage gave you no hint that it
was doing this for you. To my way of thinking, it completely misdiagnosed
the problem, which means it gave a poor solution.)

Quit Entourage, if it's running. Search for the folder Main Identity on all
your hard disks. If you find one that is not in the right place, move the
Main Identity into the current Office 2008 Identities.

If you can't find an old version of Main Identity anywhere, and you don't
have any backups, then you're out of luck.

Viv

 

[Ed Kimball]

YOU WERE RIGHT!! I found it under another (old ) user's name in Documents. It
worked to restore everything. THANKS SO MUCH!!

Viv

I'm glad it worked for you. Thanks for the feedback.