Common Problem: Mac Outlook 2011 data file is corrupt. Can’t empty any deleted mail, database won’t repair

23. December 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Outlook for Mac · Tags: , ,
Under Mac OS 10.68 using Outlook 2011 the database is corrupt.   Cannot delete even one mail from the deleted items folder.  The database utility opens and demands a rebuild.  But the rebuilt doesn't help.   When EXPORTING mail to the desktop, the export stops 1/3 of the way and demands a rebuild or the program closes.  The program works fine if one leaves the more than 3,000 deleted items in the folder.  The database has been rebuilt multiple times without success.  Nothing can be deleted from the mail trash folder.

Stellar Phoenix has an OLM recovery program  http://www.stellarinfo.com/email-repair/outlook-mac-repair.php, but their tech support said that their program only works on an exported file, so Stellar cannot be used.  Another support rep said the datafile is an OLM file and the program is worth trying.

1.  Is the mail database file  (222 MB) an OLM file ?

2.  Has anyone used Stellar Phoenix on their data file and it brought success ?

3.  It seems the SP2 update to MSO 2011 is the cause of this lethal corruption.  Has anyone tried reinstalling and using MSO 2011 and not updating the program, and if so was that met with success.

4.  Will upgrading the OS 10.68 to 10-.7, 10.8, or 10.9 improve the chances of the database utility fixing this corruption ?

5.  Is the ONLY cure to make a new database and start fresh ?  This means that one will have to reassign the default database when wanting to see all the old e-mail.

6.  Is there an application which will export all the e-mail to a single readable and searchable document, thereby one can keep both Outlook and the old mail open and visible.


Thank you.

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