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Question

Office database messed up

Dec 18, 2014 8:17AM PST

Hey you guys!

I have os x 10.7.5 and am using Office Mac 2011. I was working on several projects today when I needed to open Outlook and I got a window claiming there is a problem with the Office database, yada, yada. I clicked 'rebuild' and it did it's thing but then told me it couldn't be rebuilt!!! It gave me an error [-18000]. The next identity offered is from May 2013, which is awfully old.

Do you have any suggestions as to what went wrong and how I can fix it, please????

Thanks,

Rita

Discussion is locked

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Answer
This looks like a job for...
Dec 18, 2014 9:36AM PST
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:(
Dec 18, 2014 11:56PM PST

Hey Bob,

I don't have time machine Sad Is there any way to retrieve my data?

Thanks,

Rita

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I think Kees covers what's next.
Dec 19, 2014 1:28AM PST

This is the usual wake up call about backups and more. Since Time Machine is included with Apple I think it's time to learn about it and turn it on.
Bob

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Answer
Re: Office database
Dec 19, 2014 12:28AM PST
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/De-database-van-Office-opnieuw-opbouwen-c21643be-0f0d-4997-9ec1-8044080054b0?ui=nl-NL&rs=nl-NL&ad=US says:
"Before the Database Utility rebuilds a database, it creates a backup copy of your database and moves it into a folder in the /Users/ username/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities/ folder. The backup copy displays the date and time the backup was created."

So you might be able to retrieve it from there. But it could well be that is just the corrupted version. Then see if any of the paid programs that claim they can repair a corrupt database really does it. Be sure to let them only work on a copy, not on the original!

How old is your most recent backup? As we say here: "You only lose what you don't backup." Not doing a backup is equal to not minding losing the data.

Kees
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Wow
Dec 19, 2014 5:26AM PST

Thanks Bob. I didn't know I had Time Machine w/my Mac. I will have to find a tutorial to learn how to work it.

Thanks to you, too, Kees. I found the backup file. I opened Outlook and tried to import it from there but I don't think I'm doing it correctly. When I highlight the backup file to open I get another folder from that folder and it keeps going on til I get initials like OT, OB, OM or some such.

What do I do to get the backup file into Outlook?

Thanks again,

Rita

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Re: backup
Dec 19, 2014 5:33AM PST

Just copy it back over the original?

Always make sure you can go back to whatever old situation existed, so rename the original in stead of overwriting it.

Kees

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a bit more help, pls
Dec 21, 2014 1:39AM PST

Hey Kees,

I am pretty technologically inept. How do I copy it back over the original?

thanks,

Rita

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On the subject of Time Machine
Dec 19, 2014 10:27PM PST

You'll need a reasonably large, external hard drive. 1TB is good.
Plug it in to you Mac.
It will prompt you to use it as a Time Machine device.
Answer Yes.
That's it.

Time Machine will now back up your Mac every hour.

Retrieving data is as simple as Drag and Drop, from the Time Machine page.

Remember, you only lose what you don't back up.

P

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:)
Dec 21, 2014 1:40AM PST

Hey mrmacfixit,

I am looking for 1T Time Machine on ebay as I write this. Thank you for your help.

Rita

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What you should be looking for is a 1TB Hard Drive
Dec 21, 2014 5:49AM PST

but I guess that's what you meant.

P