Database Evaporation?

N

Necole_API

This has happened twice now. I backup by dragging a copy of the file to a
Lacie external HDD. This morning, started up the machine, and the database
file in /documents/microsoft user date/main identity/ was just not there.
So I copied the backup in and fired Entourage up, and I am two days behind.
Ok so I need to re-evaluate my backup strategy BUT here is the point....
On Friday, I was looking for the database file to back it up, and it was
already gone, but the data was "live" in the running app.
IS there a cache somewhere?
Can I find the live (in use) database?
Anyone else had this problem?
 
D

Diane Ross

This has happened twice now. I backup by dragging a copy of the file to a
Lacie external HDD. This morning, started up the machine, and the database
file in /documents/microsoft user date/main identity/ was just not there.
So I copied the backup in and fired Entourage up, and I am two days behind.
Ok so I need to re-evaluate my backup strategy BUT here is the point....
On Friday, I was looking for the database file to back it up, and it was
already gone, but the data was "live" in the running app.
IS there a cache somewhere?
Can I find the live (in use) database?
Anyone else had this problem?
Click to expand...

Entourage expects your database to be in the Microsoft User Data folder
located in your User's Document folder. If this folder is moved then
Entourage will create a new blank Identity there. Some users alias the MUD
folder, but this does not sound like what you have done.

Did you perhaps do a Command-drag the file's icon to your Lacie? This moves
a file from one volume to another, removing the file from the original
location.

Do a search for either "Microsoft User Data" or the name of the file or
folder that you drag to see where it might be. It's possible it's in the
trash.

--
Diane Ross, Microsoft Mac MVP
Entourage Help Page
<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/>
One of the top five MS Entourage resources listed on the Entourage Blog.
<http://blogs.msdn.com/entourage/>
 
N

Necole_API

Hi Diane (all)
I understand the database location expectation.
Did not alias, and did not execute a "move" but did a "copy".
The MUD location is intact for all files except Database.
I put a huge amount of work into the calendar on Friday 2nd March, including
all expirations of licenses, inspections etc.

Here is an interesting fact, we have this Lacie, and "Backup" automatically
backs-up the HOME folder at 10h30 am and 17h00 pm. The 10h30 backup was
restored but that was before I inputted the data. The 17h00 backup has the
entire home folder, but the database file in the MUD just is not there,
indicating that the file evaporated sometime on Friday. Of course I searched
the entire HDD and the local network.

The only thing that I can think of is to MANUALLY backup, after every change
of the database, surely this is a 1980's solution? We would like to commit
to Entourage company wide, but the confidence is low at the moment.
 
D

Diane Ross

Hi Diane (all)
I understand the database location expectation.
Did not alias, and did not execute a "move" but did a "copy".
The MUD location is intact for all files except Database.
Click to expand...

Since it's just the database, I would definitely look to the Backup
application.
I put a huge amount of work into the calendar on Friday 2nd March, including
all expirations of licenses, inspections etc.
Click to expand...

Murphy's law :)
Here is an interesting fact, we have this Lacie, and "Backup" automatically
backs-up the HOME folder at 10h30 am and 17h00 pm. The 10h30 backup was
restored but that was before I inputted the data. The 17h00 backup has the
entire home folder, but the database file in the MUD just is not there,
indicating that the file evaporated sometime on Friday. Of course I searched
the entire HDD and the local network.
Click to expand...

This indicates to me, a possible problem with the Lacie Backup. Was this a
one time glitch in the software, a setting in the software that was changed
somehow....????

Definitely a hard one to track down. I don't think this is an Entourage
problem though. It's just not a behavior that has been reported.
The only thing that I can think of is to MANUALLY backup, after every change
of the database, surely this is a 1980's solution? We would like to commit
to Entourage company wide, but the confidence is low at the moment.
Click to expand...

Having all the data in a database gives Entourage a lot of versatility which
is a huge plus, but on the downside it makes backing up very difficult. Even
a minor change to the database requires the entire database to be backed up.

I don't know if the new Time Machine coming out with Leopard will be of
benefit or not.

I might suggest as a workaround that you duplicate the Identity after making
a big change to the data. This would give you assurances that the data is
safe until it can be backed up on your server. You can delete the duplicate
when you are satisfied that the data is secure.

--
Diane Ross, Microsoft Mac MVP
Entourage Help Page
<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/>
One of the top five MS Entourage resources listed on the Entourage Blog.
<http://blogs.msdn.com/entourage/>
 
D

Darlene Hudson

Hi All, Well it did it again.
Yesterday, I decided to set up a backup that runs at 10 in the morning, and
another at two in the afternoon, these backups automatically take the
Database file only. At five in the afternoon the whole "Home" folder is
backed up. One would think that would solve the problem.

This morning, everything I entered into the calendar yesterday was gone, and
even this newsgroup subscription had evaporated. SO I restored the database,
and guess what? The data is missing there too!!!! What the (*^%&$ ??? Is
going on?

My gut feel is that the pathing to the MUD is all wrong.

Please someone give me the correct full path.
 
Top