synchronizing identities between two computers

D

Dr Q

Hello,

I read in this group that one way to synchronize my desktop and laptop
was to copy the identity folder from one to the other. Well I copied my
Main Identity folder on my MacBook and replaced my Main Identity on my
iMac.

Unfortuantely none of the information I expected to transfer appears to
have transferred. I am running MacOS 10.4.8 and Entourage 2004 version
11.2.5 (appears to be latest since no updates are available when I
check for updates) on both computers and both are Intel Macs.

The thing I most wanted to transfer was my addressbook wiht all my
categories and my mail folders. All the information was kept in
"folders on my computer" on the MacBook.

If anyone can shed light on what I might have done wrong or if I missed
a step, it would be greatly appreciated
 
D

Dr Q

Well after I submitted my original post, I rebuilt my database and
everything magically was there as I expected it to be. So that is at
least one solution to the problem. Can't explain why it was needed but
hey it works so I move on.

If you happen across this message because you are experiencing similar
problems. Here are the steps to rebuild your database.

Shutdown ALL Microsoft Office applications. Then simultaneously hold
down the option key and launch entourage. THis should pop up the
Database Utility. Select your identity database and select rebuild.

My database was about 1.8 GB and took about 20 minutes to rebuild. Also
you will need an equal amount of space to your original database since
a backup is made as part of the rebuild.
 
M

Michel Bintener

That's one rather radical solution, but it works. For future reference, make
sure that you quit Entourage on both machines before you replace an existing
MUD folder. If you leave Entourage open, it still maintains a link to the
old MUD folder, which is why you were unable to access your newer data.
Also, make sure you deactivate the Database Demon, an invisible background
process, by turning off Office notifications (Entourage>Turn off Office
Notifications).

So remember, de-activate Office Notifications, quit Entourage, replace the
MUD folder and then re-open the application and re-activate Office
Notifications. That should normally do it and is nowhere near as radical as
a database rebuild.


Well after I submitted my original post, I rebuilt my database and
everything magically was there as I expected it to be. So that is at
least one solution to the problem. Can't explain why it was needed but
hey it works so I move on.

If you happen across this message because you are experiencing similar
problems. Here are the steps to rebuild your database.

Shutdown ALL Microsoft Office applications. Then simultaneously hold
down the option key and launch entourage. THis should pop up the
Database Utility. Select your identity database and select rebuild.

My database was about 1.8 GB and took about 20 minutes to rebuild. Also
you will need an equal amount of space to your original database since
a backup is made as part of the rebuild.
Click to expand...

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

***Always reply to the newsgroup.***
 
C

Chip

Try dragging the entire "Office 2004 Identities" folder. I had problem
with something like this once and it seemed like there were hidden
files or something. Good luck....
 
D

Diane Ross

Try dragging the entire "Office 2004 Identities" folder. I had problem
with something like this once and it seemed like there were hidden
files or something. Good luck....
Click to expand...

You will overwrite folder with this method. See below for further info.
Dragging the Identity folder from one computer to the next will NOT merge
the data. 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 and just place your old identity folder in the MUD
folder. If you have used it and want to combine the new mail with your
original database, You can use the Export option or the MBOX method.More on
MBOX <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/glossary/mbox.html>

For mail only, 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. This can be a long and tedious process. I suggest using
the export as .rge (Entourage archive file). Under File in the menu bar
select Export. Import this file into Entourage on the new computer.

More info see: Move/Transfer from Another Computer
<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/database/move.html>

To clean up your data:

11.2.3 SyncServices update enables you to use Apple's Mail Delete Duplicate
Contacts to clean up your contacts in Apple Mail, then sync to Entourage's
Address Book.

Handy Scripts found on ScriptBuilders
<http://macscripter.net/scriptbuilders/>:

Edit out duplicate messages. "Delete Imported Duplicates"
Edit out duplicate contacts. Duplicate Contacts by Allen Watson
MVP Paul Berkowitz's scripts, "Export-Import"

--
Diane Ross, Microsoft Mac MVP
Entourage Help Page
<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/>
The Entourage Blog lists the EHP as one of the top five Microsoft Entourage
resources.
<http://blogs.msdn.com/entourage/>
 
D

Dr Q

Thank you for the suggestions.

Following my original post, I tried to move my identity files again.
This time I renamed my existing identity folder on the destination
computer and then copied over the new folder. I found that again the
information was not available. However, I did discover that Entourage
was still using the old identity files (even though Entourage was not
open when I transferred my files). So by changing identities I was able
to access the information.

This leads me to believe that Michel's comment about the office
notifications and the associated database demon may have been the
source of my problems.

Again thank you all for your assistance.
 
D

Dr Q

Thank you for the suggestions. I tried the move thing again but before
reading the messages above and found that switching identities also
seemed to solve the problem. Based on that and Micheal's message above,
I suspect the issue was not turning off the office notifications.
Entourage was shut down on both computers before I transferred the
files from the identities folder. However, I know I did not shut down
the office notifications.

Thanks for all your help.
 
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