I'm assuming you are using Entourage X. When you rebuild, Entourage creates a backup copy of your data. If you could open the original before you did the rebuild, I would revert to the original. To revert you will need to move out the new files and remove “old” from the original files.

Once you open your database, drag your messages to the desktop. You can try dragging folders, but if there is corruption in a folder you might have to drag out messages individually.

Create a new Identity and drag in the MBOX files or individual messages.

Recovering a corrupt Entourage X database
 

And if I can't open the original, then what do I do? Is there any way of getting into the corrupted database?

If you can’t open Entourage there is no way to recover the data. It’s possilbe Entouraid could recover some of your data, but it’s doubtful. http://www.thepropellerheads.com/sof...entouraid.html

Use this opportunity to start a good backup strategy.

I get it!
 

Well, i was with same problem, after recovering, the data base did entourage 2004 crashes. At last i get Entourage 2008 and i could open the f*ing data base from Entourage 2004.

Well!! Then I don't lost my job!!! Yiiihaaa!!!

If you have this file, most likely it can be recovered. See this article for help. If you are unable to do this, as a consultant I do recover databases and have been very successful recovering Entourage X databases.

When Entourage rebuilds, it makes a copy, but sometimes the original and copy get combined resulting in a corrupted mess. You can never recover a database that has doubled in size like this. As long as you have the original database you have a good chance at recovering.

Same sor of issue
 

I have a user that has a 9 gig database file. She is using Entourage 2004, and she is able to open Entourage, but she can't open Sent Items. I need to recover her Sent Items, but have been unsuccessful in my attempts. I've upgraded her to Entourage 2008, no luck. I've moved database over to another Mac, used Entourage 2004 no luck. Deleted everything but the sent items still can't open. I've moved everything else over to exchange so this won't happen again, but I need to get this Sent Items, what else can I try???? Thanks in advance.

When possible, I certainly suggesting exporting using Entourage archive (.rge), not as MBOX files. You can quickly create a Mail View to organize mail for archiving and export mail based on this categorization. This article describes the process in detail - http://blog.gingergeek.com/2009/06/h...le-identities/

You article has the user go through the export process when your mail can simply be moved from the server to folders "On My Computer" to deal with a small quota from your server.

What Next
 

I have restored the database successfully and now it shows me the list of databases. I assume i choose the newest one, but my choices are; verify, compact, rebuild or set preferences. How do i just open it up and get my emails.

My Entourage (ver 12.1.3) database is 13GIG, 3 years of mail and attachments, I compact every 2 weeks. Never had a problem. Another user in our office has an 18GIG database.

Only problem is backing up, adding one email still means backing up the whole database...but is does it at night so who cares.

Outlook for Mac will solve all this as it stores mail individually. Tried a beta but it didn't my import folders correctly so I gave up.

After a rebuild it should automatically open the latest version. Try switch identity from the main Entourage menu and check it is set it to open Main Identity...unless you've renamed it.

You are still opening up in the Database Utility. Evidently your rebuild was not successful.

It is not advised to compact your database unless you are running out of drive space.

You are also running an old version of Entourage. Current update is 12.2.6.

You are either violating your NDA or you used pirated software.

Your attachments may be here:

/Users/your_home_directory/Documents/"Microsoft User Data"/"Saved Attachments"/

I meant rebuild which includes a compact. If you have a large database rebuilding on a regular basis is the best way to look after it.
Hmm seems like I am violating my NDA...sosueme.

According to the original developer of Entourage, Jud Spencer is not advised to rebuild on a regular basis. I think I would take his advice over yours.

No, but I will ban you if you continue to do so.

When I did not rebuild regularly I got errors quite often and was forced to rebuild anyway. I found rebuilding often resulted in no errors for the past 2 years...so it works for me.

Danger - Watch out!
Once you have a copy of your Entourage "Main Identity" saved under another name -- if you delete files from the current "Main Identity" and want to access them via the copy, be sure to select "Work off line", particularly if you have emails stored on an external server (HotMail, an exchange server, etc.) because Entourage will again sync and you'll loose the emails you thought were safe.