I've got a real problem and I'm stumped....

[stevertr]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel
Email Client: pop

So..the good news is that I can get to my emails, and I have back up copies, both in time machine, and a full system backup from a few weeks ago...so it's not a "disaster" but it's close.

Here's the summary.

I have a large email database, about 9gb.

My Entourage keeps telling me the database is corrupted and to run a rebuild, which I have done. That gets it to reopen, with the usual weird things like messages appearing as new that are old, and those are usually corrupted when you look at them. No issue, I just deleted them.

All works fine, and then an hour later I get the notification again that the database is corrupted. Entourage will continue to run in most cases, and I turned off the notifications for the moment so I can think straight.

OK...now here's where it gets weird.

I go back using time machine to a couple days ago, and restore the entire Main Identity File, including it's 4 subfolders (rules, database, etc). When I go to Entourage, it again tells me the database needs to be rebuilt. I do that, and it works for a while and then the notifications start again.

As a last resort, I go back to a clean copy from a month ago of my whole Identity, and again grab the Main Identity folder and drag it in, replacing the current one, and that works for a while, and then the notifications come again. Now remember this is on a dragged out exported copy that was working just fine.

I've tried dragging in the new database from time machine>rebuilt> then tried to export mail to create an rge file, figuring I could just reinstall Entourage and import the old messages. The Export runs for a bit and then it fails, telling me that oe or more message may be corrupted and to run a rebuilt.

I've tried dragging folders out to create .mbox folders, which works, but then in reimporting those into a new identity they're not nearly complete.

I'm really, really good at this stuff, and usually pretty self sufficient, but this one has me stumped. It almost seems like the "program" is corrupting the databases as I bring them in.

The only thing I have not done yet, is to delete Entourage altogether, and reinstall it, and then pull back in a database from time machine.

At this point I'm open to any ideas people have. I'm grateful for once for my backups, but still can't really use them effectively, and I realize that merely turning off notifications is like covering a time bomb with a blanket.

Thanks for your help.

Steve

 

[Diane Ross]

So..the good news is that I can get to my emails, and I have back up copies,
both in time machine, and a full system backup from a few weeks ago...so it's
not a "disaster" but it's close.

If you Time Machine copies were made while any Microsoft application was
open, it's most likely corrupted.

Rebuilding often does not fix issues. Especially large databases like yours.
Generally when you can drag a folder as an MBOX file, the folder is good.
Have you tried dragging individual messages? You might need to make
subfolders to get them all out. Compare the number of messages in the folder
to the number in the MBOX file.

Rather than drag folders, you can use this script:

Export folders as MBOX files (includes subfolders)
<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/downloads/scripts/jolly/Make_MBOX.zip>

If you can get the data out, you can manually move into a new Identity. This
should clear out your corruption.

Using Time Machine to backup Entourage basics:

It's advised by the 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.

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/01/alternative_method_to_use_entourage_
and_time_machine.html>

Quit all Microsoft applications before backing up

<http://tinyurl.com/pykno3>

 

[stevertr]

Thanks so much. I wasn't aware about not letting apps be open during backup.

Two things.

1. I had a full identity backup from a month ago before I ever even had Leopard or Time Machine, so I KNOW that data file was good. Yet after bringing that identity file back into my system, and restarting Entourage, is starts spitting out the Your Database is Corrupt notes anyway. Actually, before it even does that, it states on restart - Entourage cant access your data, try rebuilding the database" I don't understand why that would be happening on a data file that was clearly good.

2. I can't for the life of me figure out how to use that "script"
I went to the site and downloaded it, but no clue how to use it. I dragged it into the Entourage script file and restarted and thought a new export tool would appear under my Entourage menu but I don't see anything.

Thanks again everyone.

Steve

 

[Diane Ross]

1. I had a full identity backup from a month ago before I ever even had
Leopard or Time Machine, so I KNOW that data file was good. Yet after bringing
that identity file back into my system, and restarting Entourage, is starts
spitting out the Your Database is Corrupt notes anyway. Actually, before it
even does that, it states on restart - Entourage cant access your data, try
rebuilding the database" I don't understand why that would be happening on a
data file that was clearly good.

Drag the Identity to the Shared folder. "/Users/Shared"

Go to System Preferences --> Create a New User in Accounts. Switch to the
New User by logging out/in or use Fast User Switching. Open Entourage and
let it create a Microsoft User Data folder and a new blank Identity named
"Main." You can delete this Identity. Quit Entourage.

Drag from Shared (it actually copies) to the Office 2008 Identities folder.
Open Entourage and see if the Identity opens in this Identity.

Let me know if the Identity opens in the new User's account.

2. I can't for the life of me figure out how to use that "script"
I went to the site and downloaded it, but no clue how to use it. I dragged it
into the Entourage script file and restarted and thought a new export tool
would appear under my Entourage menu but I don't see anything.

Drop the script in the Entourage Script Menu folder in the Microsoft User
Data folder. Select the script from the Script menu when in Entourage.

-------------To get you started with using scripts-------------

Using AppleScripts with Entourage Part 1

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/07/using_applescripts_with_entourage.ht
ml>

Favorite Scripts to use with Entourage Part 2

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/07/favorite_scripts.html>

Assign a category with a keyboard shortcut Part 3

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/08/assign_a_category_with_a_keyboard_sh
ort.html>

Create a TinyURL-no more broken links Part 4

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/09/create_a_tinyurl.html>