Rebuild the Microsoft Entourage v.X database
Like Entourage 2001, and Outlook Express 5 in "Mac OS Classic", Entourage v. X uses the "Microsoft User Data" folder to store all of your mail and newsgroup information. Within that folder is a Database file which is the single source of that information.
Occasionally, this Database file gets corrupted. This has many potential causes including crashes or any other interruption that doesn't allow the application to complete its desired action.
If Entourage begins to behave unpredictably, rebuilding the database may be a way to resolve the problems.
- In order to rebuild the Entourage database, quit all Microsoft applications. Relaunch Entourage while holding down the option key. (If you are using Microsoft Entourage 2004, you should consult our instructions on how to "Rebuild the Microsoft Entourage 2004 database".)
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Entourage will ask you what type of rebuild you would like to do.
A "Typical Rebuild" is necessary if Entourage doesn't start properly or perform as quickly as you would expect it to, or if an error message appears on startup saying a "File is corrupt".
An "Advanced Rebuild" is necessary if a "Typical Rebuild" is unsuccessful in remedying the problems you are experiencing. However, if an Advanced Rebuild is necessary you will have to:
- Replace any pictures you may have linked to individual contacts
- Recreate any links between items
- Redownload items from IMAP, Hotmail or newsgroups
- Recreate any schedules and rules for any accounts within the program (see Microsoft Entourage database rebuild unlinks folders from rules).
- After selecting the desired type of rebuild, click the "Rebuild" button.
- Entourage will then notify you as to whether or not the rebuild was successful and that the old Database files have been renamed.
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If, upon restarting, the problems you were experiencing have been resolved feel free to delete the following files from your Identity Folder:
- Old Database
- Old Messages
- Old Database Cache
- Database (Rebuild) Cache
