Request to escalate priority at Microsoft ofbetter database repair tools

[Shuhkoh]

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

The number of Entourage database issues and the complexity of dealing with them has become a huge problem for workers who depend on this software. It is time we all ask for escalation of tools and services that allow the common user to repair databases. I have rebuilt at least monthly since I first was warned to do so after getting a Mac in 2005. I haven't had a successful rebuild in 6 months, and the tech team has tried all they can under current rules. Entouraid doesn't deal with the whole database, and can't get through in any case...it's time, do you not all agree, for two things: 1) an upgrade to the rebuild software that really works if Entourage is still operable; and 2) a service where we can FTP our broken databases so that Microsoft can study the cases in support of additional upgrades to 1).

 

[Michel Bintener]

Hi,

the best way to make sure someone at Microsoft reads your requests is to
click on Help>Send Feedback about Entourage and paste your message in the
feedback form that opens.

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

The number of Entourage database issues and the complexity of dealing with
them has become a huge problem for workers who depend on this software. It is
time we all ask for escalation of tools and services that allow the common
user to repair databases. I have rebuilt at least monthly since I first was
warned to do so after getting a Mac in 2005. I haven't had a successful
rebuild in 6 months, and the tech team has tried all they can under current
rules. Entouraid doesn't deal with the whole database, and can't get through
in any case...it's time, do you not all agree, for two things: 1) an upgrade
to the rebuild software that really works if Entourage is still operable; and
2) a service where we can FTP our broken databases so that Microsoft can study
the cases in support of additional upgrades to 1).

--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:mac (Entourage & Word)

*** Please always reply to the newsgroup. ***

 

[Ed Kimball]

Hi,

the best way to make sure someone at Microsoft reads your requests is to
click on Help>Send Feedback about Entourage and paste your message in the
feedback form that opens.

I interpreted the original message as a request for all of us who agree to
send a similar request to MS in support of the original poster.

 

[Diane Ross]

I have rebuilt at least monthly since I first was warned to do so after
getting a Mac in 2005.

Your database should not need rebuilding that often. I might have to rebuild
once a year if that and I test all sorts of problems for users that crash my
identity.

My advice would be to create a new Identity in Entourage. To get your
current info over you can't import the Identity you must first export as
either Entourage archive (.rge) file or as MBOX files.

How to manually move your data. (when import fails and/or you need to move
to a new Identity same version or revert to an older version)

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/install/manual_install.html>

Do you have only the POP account?
What size is your database?
What size is your hd? How much free space?
How much Ram?

2) a service where we can FTP our broken databases so that Microsoft can study
the cases in support of additional upgrades to 1).

Most people will not share their identity because of security reasons. If
you want to burn your Identity to DVD, I could probably get you an address
to send it. FTP for over 1GB is very long. I had a user try to upload a 2GB
Identity and it took over 24 hours.

--
Diane
Entourage Help Page <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/>
Entourage Help Blog <http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/>
YouTalk <http://tinyurl.com/bzcrjy> <-- Entourage mailing list
Twitter: follow <http://twitter.com/entouragehelp>

 

[Shuhkoh]

Thanks! I've now followed your advice.

Hi,

the best way to make sure someone at Microsoft reads your requests is to
click on Help>Send Feedback about Entourage and paste your message in the
feedback form that opens.




--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:mac (Entourage & Word)

*** Please always reply to the newsgroup. ***

 

[Shuhkoh]

1. There are POP, IMAP, and Exchange accounts
2. DB is 10Gb
3. 250Gb hard drive 100 free
4. RAM=4G
5. Machine is unibody Macbook
6. I fails before exports complete, so have nothing to import
7. Tech support at MSFT suggested monthly rebuilds back in early 2006

 

[Diane Ross]

2. DB is 10Gb

Do you have old mail in your database? You might consider archiving in an
separate Identity. Options for end of year archiving (The Entourage Help
Blog)
<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/12/options_for_end_of_year_archiving.ht
ml>
In case the above link does not work:

3. 250Gb hard drive 100 free

It's possible your database would rebuild on a larger drive. See this
article. Rebuilding a damaged database that exceeded size limit (not
exclusive to Entourage X)

<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:

6. I fails before exports complete, so have nothing to import

What fails? The Entourage archive (.rge) export or MBOX export? When the
..rge export fails that is a positive indicator for corruption. The export as
MBOX files will stop on the folder with the corruption so you know where to
start looking for the corruption. It's possible to delete those emails and
continue with the export. The last option is to drag individual emails to
the desktop.

Export folders as MBOX files using a script

7. Tech support at MSFT suggested monthly rebuilds back in early 2006

Here's what Jud Spencer [one of Entourage¹s developers] said on the issue:

There is a small benefit to compacting regularly. Entourage maintains
internal sort tables. Those sort tables are optimized on a compact.

However, you should only choose the rebuild option if your database is
damaged. Many people believe that rebuilding your database will protect you
from future corruption. That just isn¹t the case.

--
Diane
Entourage Help Page <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/>
Entourage Help Blog <http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/>
YouTalk <http://tinyurl.com/bzcrjy> <-- Entourage mailing list
Twitter: follow <http://twitter.com/entouragehelp>

 

[Kerry]

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

The number of Entourage database issues and the complexity of dealing with them has become a huge problem for workers who depend on this software. It is time we all ask for escalation of tools and services that allow the common user to repair databases. I have rebuilt at least monthly since I first was warned to do so after getting a Mac in 2005. I haven't had a successfulrebuildin 6 months, and the tech team has tried all they can under current rules. Entouraid doesn't deal with the whole database, and can't get through in any case...it's time, do you not all agree, for two things: 1) an upgrade to therebuildsoftware that really works if Entourage is still operable; and 2) a service where we can FTP our broken databases so that Microsoftcan study the cases in support of additional upgrades to 1).

You're definitely asking for something that is more than reasonable.
The problem is its not going to happen for a while if ever. There are
lots of problems in Entourage. You have definitely done the work and
have contacted Microsoft and you've got the answer - they haven't got
a solution. The only thing you might want to do is call them back
under your case # and ask that the support request and the impact the
failure to resolve your problem is having on you.

Probably best to scan this and other forums on the issue so you can
develop a going forward strategy. All the information really is
available in this newsgroup but you'll find it all at Apple.com
support also.