problem with entourage database (account/database)

[xico]

hi all

for what ive been reading in this forum and some others, it seems that this problem is common, unfortunally i could not found any tips or solutions regarding my problem.

ive just installed ox 10.3.9 on a power book, with office 2004, during the back up of all my stuff i copied the main identity -entourage - ( the main id folder to be precise (4 items inside, including database as obvious)) so i could replace it after with the new one. (as i did did it times before for the past years).

unfortunally i cant make it to work now.
i think i was using office 2001 (not sure about it) before.

ive done all the steps one can make:
rebuild database > entourage found problems, makes a rebuild and all i got is a 18 mb database where it should be 240 mb.

new identity > i made a new identity (leaving the default main id) and the problem still occurs.

ive tried all the possible ways, but there is no way i can use my old database (the 240 mb one), because entourage rebuilds it to a new 18 mb, everytime i try to swap it.

done all the repairs permissions, trashed preferences, renamed files, etc... etc..
nothing happens.

im really worried couse ive got mails and information there that i really need, as you can imagine.

is there a solution to this?
a 3th party software that can rebuild it outside entourage.

i hope somewhere there is a soul that can light my way throught this :)

tnx in advance

xico

[mdc1952]

I don't know if this will work, but you may have to import the old data rather than just trying to make Entourage use the old database. I assume you still have a copy of your old database where Entourage won't try to over write. Get Entourge open, possibly after deleting whatever database is there. It may give you a setup assistant if it thinks it is running for the first time, giving you the option to import from a previous version of Entourage. If not, go to File>Import and try the Import from Entourage archive option and choose the old database.

[xico]

hi mdc

i´ve done that aswell.
entourage begins to say that a new database was found, but it doesnt allow me do pick and choose any of the database.

yes i still got the original database "untouched", i just copy it everytime i try to find my way throught this.

i really dont have any clue how to dismantle this enigma and have my emails safe and "open".

tnx

[Raven]

With the import feature you have to choose the Office 2004 Identity folder, not the database file.

[xico]

done that aswell. it doesnt acept anything... doesnt recognize it.
entourage lets me choose it (the folder) but it doesnt enable it.

completly lost

tnx

[Raven]

Just to recap... You had Office 2001 running (guessing in Classic) and then you upgraded your computer to 10.3.9 and Office 2004 at the same time. The issue you have is that an Office 2001 identity is not directly compatible with Office 2004. You may wish to look into Export-Import Entourage (http://scriptbuilders.net/files/exportimportentourage1.3.9.html) from Paul Berkowitz. Its very good at properly migrating emails from older databses to new ones, including contacts and all.