This article describes how to rebuild and repair your Entourage database.

IMPORTANT: You must determine that the hard disk on your Apple Macintosh computer contains sufficient free space to allow for the procedure in this article because database maintenance replicates the existing information store. Rebuilding the Entourage database should not be considered as a substitute for a sufficient backup. You are encouraged to back up critical data regularly. For more information about data file locations in Entourage, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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When you create an Entourage information store, hard disk space is allocated for the data that the information store receives as you work. When you add and delete messages, appointments, tasks, and notes, the database can develop wasted space. Over time, inconsistencies may result from this condition.

Symptomatically, a database that needs rebuilding may not respond when you try to move or delete items from any of the specialized folders. You may also experience issues when you start Entourage.

To start the Database Utility in all versions of Entourage, hold down the OPTION key on the keyboard, and then start Entourage. The Database Utility window opens. In the Database Utility window, you have the option to select the database that you want to maintain.

Entourage 2004 includes the following four maintenance activity options:

•	Verify database integrity: Use this option to check database corruption. If problems are found, you can choose to rebuild the database. If the database is working correctly, no changes will be made.
•	Compact database: Use this option to compact and to back up the current database files. You can use this option to help you recover some space from the database.
•	Rebuild database: Use this option to perform repairs, to compact database files, and to back up the current database. If you have Hotmail, MSN, IMAP, or Exchange accounts, you must download the folder list and the messages from the server again.
•	Set database preferences

In addition to these options, you can choose to first select the identity on which you want to run the maintenance wizard. For example, if you have multiple identities for the same user, you have to select the identity.

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How to determine when to use the Rebuild feature

When you use the Verify database integrity option, you might be prompted to perform a rebuild operation if any corruptions are found.

Note When you perform an advanced rebuild of the database, Entourage removes all your Internet Mail Access Protocol (IMAP), Hotmail, and News messages from the local cache. Download these messages again from the server, and then reset your folder column preferences for these message folders. Re-enter your settings for your news and mail schedules, and then update any rules that copy or move messages into IMAP or Hotmail folders.

Note Pictures that were attached to contacts in your Address Book are lost.

Both the typical and advanced rebuild processes copy the existing database and other elements of the information store and use the new copy for the rebuild process. The original copy is retained and renamed "Old Database" and "Old Messages." Additionally, a copy of the Database Cache is made with the word "Old" added, and the Database (Rebuild) Cache is retained.

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How to prepare for a database rebuild

Before you perform any database maintenance, determine that you have at least two times as much hard disk space available as the current size of the information store. For example, if the information store is 10 megabytes (MB), there should be at least 20 MB of free space available on the hard disk.

To determine the size of the information store, use one of the following methods.

Entourage 2004

1.	Locate the Documents folder in the following location: Users:username:Documents
2.	Open the Documents folder, and then open the Microsoft User Data folder.
3.	Open the Office 2004 Identities folder.
4.	Locate and then click your identity folder. Your identity folder has the same name as the identity that you first set up in Entourage. If there is only one user, locate the Main Identity folder in the Office 2004 Identities folder.
5.	On the File menu, click Get Info, and then click Get Information.

Entourage 2001

1.	Locate the Documents folder on your Macintosh hard disk.
2.	Double-click the Documents folder, and then double-click the Microsoft User Data folder.
3.	Double-click the Office 2001 Identities folder.
4.	Locate, and then click your identity folder. Your identity folder has the same name as the identity that you first set up in Entourage.
5.	On the File menu, click Get Info, and then click Get Information.

The size of this folder is displayed.

For more information about database rebuilding (in Entourage 2001 only), click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Entourage X

1.	Locate the Documents folder in the following location: Users:username:Documents
2.	Open the Documents folder, and then open the Microsoft User Data folder.
3.	Open the Office X Identities folder.
4.	Locate, and then click your identity folder. Your identity folder has the same name as the identity that you first set up in Entourage. If there is only one user, locate the Main Identity folder in the Office X Identities folder.
5.	On the File menu, click Get Info, and then click Get Information.

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