Troubleshooting Entourage in a New User Account

If you don't know how to create a new User see Adding a new user account to your computer in Apple Help. A User is a term used by the Mac OS. The terms Identity and User are often confused. Entourage stores your data in an Identity, and the Mac OS creates Users.

1. Create a new User in System Preferences.
2. Move your Microsoft User Data folder (MUD) to your Shared folder in your current User. (You'll need to move it back after testing.)
3. Log Out/In to new user or use Fast User Switching.
4. First test Entourage without bringing over your old MUD folder. See Solving Send & Receive for network help.
   
   
   1. If it works, this indicates a problem with your MUD folder or a problem in your User's folder. Go to step 5.
   2. If it doesn't not work, go to step 6
5. Move your Microsoft User Data folder from Shared to the new Test User's Documents folder replacing the newly created MUD folder. Test Entourage with your Identity. (Note: moving from Shared to a new user copies the folder so you won't harm your original data.)
   
   
   1. If it works, this eliminates permission problems and your database and indicates a problem in your User's folder.
      
      
      1. See Testing for Problems in Your User's folder
   2. If it fails, then your database is corrupt. See How to Rebuild Your Database and Corrupt Database Fixes.
6. Your test with a new blank User and a new blank Identity fails. This indicates a system wide problem.
7. 1. Use Disk Utility to check for disk errors and permission issues.
   2. Run the latest combo updater from Apple. Running the combo updater overwrites potentially problem files.
   3. Test in Safe Mode.
   4. If the issue persists, you need to do an Archive and Install of the OS. Be sure to select the "Preserve User and Network Settings" option to preserve your current Users folder and related network configuration.
   5. If this fails, check your RAM. Use your Apple Hardware Test CD that came with your computer.
   6. Severe problem can require you to wipe your drive and reinstall the OS.
   7. See Twenty steps to help diagnose and fix system issues for more help.
   8. If all of this fails, dance wildly around your computer flailing your arms and chanting. Please don't throw your computer out the window. :-)
8. Don't forget to move your Microsoft User Data folder back from shared to Documents after testing. [IMPORTANT]