Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the problem,rebuild your database." Entourage 2

[rent2buyadvice]

Hardware: Macbook Pro 17" Intel
Software: Entourage 2008
OSX: 10.5.2

Error Message: An error occurred while attempting to rebuild your
database

Database Size: 5.15gb

Date: 3/7/8

Synopsis: I opened an email with attachments and it crashed the entire
system and forced a shut down of OSX > when I restarted Entourage, I
got the following error message: "Entourage cannot access your data.
To attempt to fix the problem, rebuild your database."

I have subsequently attempted to rebuild my database several times and
each time I get the error message " An error occurred while attempting
to rebuild your database" > I have tried various workarounds that
others have tried (googled the issue) and am still unable to fix the
issue.

When I use the Microsoft Database Utility, I am able to get through
steps 1, 2, and 3 successfully and then I get about 3/4 of the way
through step 4 when I get the error " An error occurred while
attempting to rebuild your database" and the only option available to
me is to choose Done.

Like most others, this database is very significant to me and I need
to find a workaround - any assistance would be greatly appreciated and
welcomed.

Thank you, in advance.

(e-mail address removed)

 

[Diane Ross]

Hardware: Macbook Pro 17" Intel
Software: Entourage 2008

Is this 12.0.1

OSX: 10.5.2

Was this an update install of Leopard or did you do an "Erase & Install"?

Error Message: An error occurred while attempting to rebuild your
database

Database Size: 5.15gb

How full is your HD?

Did you remove the Temporary Items folder from Microsoft User Data folder?
This is where attachments are stored. Entourage will create a new one. Also
Hold down the Shift key when starting Entourage. This will disable any
schedules that might be trying to get the full message with attachments. If
you can open Entourage, delete the damn message.

Unless you can get your Identity to open, there is no way to salvage your
data. If you don't have backups, then your mail must not be important. Most
likely you have just procrastinated and are now regretting your actions.

See my tutorial: Entourage and Time-Machine-like backup

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

Options:
I would move my Identity to a new User to see if it will launch in a new
User with a clean slate of preferences.

1) Drag your Microsoft User Data folder to Shared.

2) Go to System Preferences --> Create a New User in Accounts. Switch to
the New User by logging out/in or use Fast User Switching.

3) Drag from Shared your Microsoft User Data folder. It copies it so you
won't damage it further. Remember to drag back when you finish testing.

See if Entourage will open your Identity.

When you do the rebuild, Entourage makes a backup. It will be named
something like this: Main [Backed up 2008-03-21 19.59]

Try launching from this backup. Switch Identity and select the backup. You
might need to move all Identities out of the Office 2008 Identities folder
and let Entourage create a new blank one so it will open. Open Entourage in
the new Identity. Now in the Finder, drag in the backup copy.

Use Switch Identity and select the backup Identity.

If you can get your Identity to open in a new User, then a cleanup in your
regular User should get you back working.

For good measure I also suggest:

Download the combo updater from Apple and run it again rather than using
Software Update. Doing so overwrites potentially problem-causing files.
Several users have reported this fixed some odd problems they were having
with Entourage. Combo updaters will install on the same version as they¹re
applying‹no need to roll back or do a clean install.

Leopard:

Mac OS X 10.5.2 Combo Update (This update delivers several improvements for
both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs )

<http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx1052comboupdate.html>

Restart and run Repair Permissions:

Using Repair Permissions after installing MS Office or any application that
uses an installer is often advised. To use Repair Permissions:
1. Open Disk Utility in your Applications/Utility folder.
2. Click on the First Aid tab and select Repair Permissions
3. Click on the icon for your boot volume.
4. Click the repair permissions button.

Don't run from CD. Updates contain a newer versions of the application's
permissions.

Good luck.

 

[hwr68]

Hardware: Macbook Pro 17" Intel
Software: Entourage 2008
OSX: 10.5.2

Error Message: An error occurred while attempting to rebuild your
database

Database Size: 5.15gb

Date: 3/7/8

Synopsis: I opened an email with attachments and it crashed the entire
system and forced a shut down of OSX > when I restarted Entourage, I
got the following error message: "Entourage cannot access your data.
To attempt to fix the problem, rebuild your database."

I have subsequently attempted to rebuild my database several times and
each time I get the error message " An error occurred while attempting
to rebuild your database" > I have tried various workarounds that
others have tried (googled the issue) and am still unable to fix the
issue.

When I use the Microsoft Database Utility, I am able to get through
steps 1, 2, and 3 successfully and then I get about 3/4 of the way
through step 4 when I get the error " An error occurred while
attempting to rebuild your database" and the only option available to
me is to choose Done.

Like most others, this database is very significant to me and I need
to find a workaround - any assistance would be greatly appreciated and
welcomed.

Thank you, in advance.

(e-mail address removed)

Hi Mich,

I've been having the exact same problem with Entourage 2008 for the
past couple of days.

Were you able to fix the problem and/or save your database?

Thanks for all the help,

 

[TPR]

I am unable to rebuild my database. Entourage database is full and I can no longer open the program.

 

[Diane Ross]

I am unable to rebuild my database. Entourage database is full and I can no
longer open the program.

What version? What version of the OS? How full is your HD? Do you have any
recent updates?

 

[ed_luiso]

I cannot open my entourage (Office X for mac) when trying I get the following message: Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the problem, rebuild your data base.

How do I do that... I've tried online support and cannot find an answer, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated seeing that this is a business email and I'm dead in the water without it. Thanks... anybody please!

 

[Mickey Stevens]

Try rebuilding the database. In Entourage X, first go to Entourage > Turn
Off Office Notifications. Now, quit Entourage, and then restart Entourage
holding down the Option key. When the Rebuild dialog box comes up, choose
to do a Typical Rebuild. If that does not fix the problem, repeat the
procedure, instead opting to do the Advanced Rebuild.

 

[Diane Ross]

I cannot open my entourage (Office X for mac) when trying I get the following
message: Entourage cannot access your data. To attempt to fix the problem,
rebuild your data base.

Entourage X databases can require a lot of drive room. See this article.

Rebuilding a damaged database that exceeded size limit

<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2007/09/rebuilding_a_damaged_database_that_e
xceeded_size_limit.html>

In case the above link does not work:

<http://tinyurl.com/4s6qv3>

 

[Ripbang]

I have a backup of my database. Both attempts to rebuild the database when I received this error message failed. I tried reinstalling the application and that fixed it once. I did a clean install and there is no option to import the data from the same version of Entourage. I also tried replacing the database with my backup and got the same "cannot access your data" error message. Any ideas on other ways to retrieve the data?