lost emails

[nm203]

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

I have been using Entourage as my default email on my new iMac for 4 weeks. The iMac was shutdown over the weekend, and Entourage was completely empty upon restart (welcome to Entourage 2008 was the sole email.) I tried to import my most recent .rge file (622MB created 6/1/09) but no emails imported. Entourage.rge shows as an email folder, but my entire email history is missing. I tried to create a new identity, but same outcome after attempted import. It is imperative for my business and personal records that I find those emails.

 

[Adam Bailey]

I have been using Entourage as my default email on my new iMac for 4 weeks.
The iMac was shutdown over the weekend, and Entourage was completely empty
upon restart (welcome to Entourage 2008 was the sole email.)

http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/index.html#db2

 

[nm203]

I have been using Entourage as my default email on my new iMac for 4 weeks.
The iMac was shutdown over the weekend, and Entourage was completely empty
upon restart (welcome to Entourage 2008 was the sole email.)

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/index.html#db2>[/QUOTE]

Appreciate your reply. I have 2 databases - the original is under myname-Main Identity-database 720MB and another is under Documents-Main Identity-database 1.2GB created today. For the original can you be more specific about how to "copy the entire Microsoft User Data folder to the correct location." I understand the multiple identity concept but am unclear as to what to do since both are called Main.

 

[Diane Ross]

Appreciate your reply. I have 2 databases - the original is under myname-Main
Identity-database 720MB and another is under Documents-Main Identity-database
1.2GB created today. For the original can you be more specific about how to
"copy the entire Microsoft User Data folder to the correct location." I
understand the multiple identity concept but am unclear as to what to do since
both are called Main.

Entourage expects your Main Identity to be in the Microsoft User Data folder
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.

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.

Hope this helps!

 

[nm203]

Appreciate your reply. I have 2 databases - the original is under myname-Main
Identity-database 720MB and another is under Documents-Main Identity-database
1.2GB created today. For the original can you be more specific about how to
"copy the entire Microsoft User Data folder to the correct location." I
understand the multiple identity concept but am unclear as to what to do since
both are called Main.

Entourage expects your Main Identity to be in the Microsoft User Data folder
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.

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.

Hope this helps!
[/QUOTE]
Hi Diane.

While I am computer literate, I am new to mac and am hoping for more detailed guidance. The only identity in Entourage is "Main" which now displays only the emails since the files disappeared. In Finder, Office Identities in my user folder already contains the original database + 4 other items. Am I dragging - to where? Do I also need to open Entourage and create a "original" identity? I've tried doing this and still don't know how to get that database to transfer to Entourage. I only know how to import .rge files which didn't work.

I restarted my computer normally so can you tell me more about the "user error" that caused this issue?

Thanks!

 

[Diane Ross]

While I am computer literate, I am new to mac and am hoping for more detailed
guidance. The only identity in Entourage is "Main" which now displays only the
emails since the files disappeared. In Finder, Office Identities in my user
folder already contains the original database + 4 other items. Am I dragging -
to where? Do I also need to open Entourage and create a "original" identity?
I've tried doing this and still don't know how to get that database to
transfer to Entourage. I only know how to import .rge files which didn't work.

I restarted my computer normally so can you tell me more about the "user
error" that caused this issue?

Let's try again...

You previous said.
This is telling me in your User's account (under the house) you have a Main
Identity and in your Documents --> Microsoft User Data folder you have
another Main Identity. Is this correct?

Entourage will only see an Identity if it's in the correct location.

The correct location:

~/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2008 Identities

You also mentioned previously

Was your Mac shut down correctly or was this a hard crash. If you do not
quit applications before powering down, you can loose data. It's possible
your Identity is lost. You can check an invisible file called lost & found.
Most likely it is gone.

emails imported.

The show up under a file called Mail.rge. When you toggle this open, you
will see your messages. Drag them to the correct location.

See these movies for dealing with MBOX and .rge files.

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/video/index.html>

If the Identity is gone, you can salvage some data from the Spotlight cache
files.

Entourage 2008 & Spotlight

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2009/05/entourage_and_spotlight.html>

Hope this helps!