OLM file fails to import

Question

I am experiencing the same issue that a previous user posted on back in Dec 2010 as follows: "Diane thanks for the tip, however only one file is created after attempting to import the .olm export and it is a LOG file. On opening the file (clicking)the following message is displayed: "2010-12-06 09:59:49: Reading directory of archive file failed." The LOG file is on my desktop, nothing is created in Outlook. The export file is 3.5 MB so it should take more than a second to read and import, which is does not. I get an instantaneous "done"." Evidently this user (and now myself) failed to note the Outlook for Mac Archive.log that was created on our desktops at export time. When I try to import the OLM file created by the Export, I get the same symptoms as above. My OLM is over 1GB and appears now to be useless. MS really has significant issues with Outlook 2011 having to rebuild its databases. I've experienced the issue several times with varying degrees of success at recovery from it. Now it appears I have this unusable OLM file and only backups of my database files that generate the message from **** "Your database needs to be rebuilt". We've had a number of users at our university that we have had to assist with restoring their identity databases through hook and crook. Any hope that this OLM file could be used by some kind of work-around...?

Answer 1

Failure to export a working .olm file is a symptom of database corruption.

Results are showing that Outlook is very similar to Entourage when it comes

to rebuilding. It takes a lot of free space on your drive.

You can try the Hail Mary step 3 to see if that will recover your data.

http://www.officeformachelp.com/outlook/troubleshoot/

However, not that I know it's an Exchange account, your best options are:

(note: we do not recommend rebuilding Identity for Exchange )

Exchange only

1. Create a new Identity and let Outlook download from server.

Exchange plus POP and/or IMAP

1. If you have POP and/or IMAP you can delete the Exchange and IMAP  accounts
2. THEN do a rebuild to recover the "On My Computer" folders.
3. After rebuild, use File > Export to get your data as .olm file.
4. Create a new Identity and import the .olm file. You'll need to move the imported data into the local folders/calendars/contacts
5. Enter your accounts and your IMAP and Exchange will download.
6. You'll also need to setup preferences, sigs** & rules.

** you can move over Signatures from Data Records. You will have to rebuild after moving. Quit Outlook first.

Note: if you suspect Exchange attachments corrupt. I would download just Exchange into a new Identity.  Use a smart folder to show attachments:

All Mail > Attachments Exists

Messages will be sorted by date.

Select older messages

This will allow you to move to "On My Computer" then delete from server.

You can save this Identity for searching these old messages if needed.

Answer 2

Yes, I have the latest version of Outlook of Mac 14.1.2.  I'm using an Exchange account connected to an Exchange Server 2007.

I was able to rebuild an old identity that I had with most of my archived email messages.  But McAfee Security does pop up with notice about infected files in some of my very old attachments.  I think these are in-the-wild PC infected files and EICAR test files.  i have McAfee now set to Notify and not Clean.

I tried to create an OLM from this "recovered" Identity and the log for the OLM creation indicates that it can't copy my local copy of Sent Items-saved and other attachments.  Here is the log (I cancelled the OLM creation because I saw logs and did not want another "corrupt" OLM):

2011-06-30 17:09:11: Error writing attachment to archive "/Users/bill/Desktop/Identity2 Archive.olm".

2011-06-30 17:09:34: Error exporting folder 'On My Computer/Archived/Sent Items-saved'.

2011-06-30 17:10:14: Error writing attachment to archive "/Users/bill/Desktop/Identity2 Archive.olm".

2011-06-30 17:10:14: Error writing attachment to archive "/Users/bill/Desktop/Identity2 Archive.olm".

2011-06-30 17:10:55: Error writing attachment to archive "/Users/bill/Desktop/Identity2 Archive.olm".

2011-06-30 17:13:03: Error writing attachment to archive "/Users/bill/Desktop/Identity2 Archive.olm".

2011-06-30 17:17:27: Export to archive didn't complete because user cancelled.

Not too informative with no attachment names to troubleshoot with.

Bill

Answer 3

This is a weird issue. It looks like the olm is damaged (or Outlook thinks it is).

Is Office perfectly up to date on your Mac (14.1.2)?

Corentin