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Question
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error 18000 during outlook 2011 rebuild

csackey asked on

My outlook for Mac 2011 asked for a database identity rebuild.

 

During the course of the rebuild, at step 4 it came up with an error 18000 and stopped.

 

What is the meaning of this rather cryptic error message and what is the way round it?

 

Regards

 

Carl

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dianeoforegon replied on

First of all, I have more than enough free space

What do you consider enough free space? Previously with Entourage database we needed 500GB free to recover badly damaged databases. Since Outlook stores data differently, we don't know yet if having tons of free space will help, but it's possible if you had more space it would rebuild.

the identity would not open

You can try the steps in this article. It works for some users but not for everyone.

www.officeformachelp.com/
www.needhelp4mac.com/services/
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dianeoforegon replied on

For users that are reading this topic, If rebuilding with enough free space fails, you can try the method described here.

Outlook rebuild results in folders named Recovered

Other users with the -18000 error were able to successfully rebuild when it failed even with enough free space using this new option.
www.officeformachelp.com/
www.needhelp4mac.com/services/
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Cody C. replied on
Hey Carl,

I'll be honest, I haven't seen the 18000 Error before. Is there any more text to the error message?

What type of account are you using? (Exchange, IMAP, POP)

If you're using Exchange, it might be easier and quicker for you to simply create a new identity, open Outlook and add you Exchange account. The steps below explain how to create a new identity and set it as the default identity:

  1. Quit all applications.
  2. Hold down the Option key on the keyboard, and then click the Outlook icon in the dock. The Microsoft Database Utility will open.

    Note You can also access the Microsoft Database Utility by opening the Application folder and then opening the Microsoft Office 2011 folder. Open the Office folder, and then double-click Microsoft Database Utility.app.

  3. Click the plus [+] sign to add a new identity, and then type a name for the new identity. For example, type New identity.

  4. Set the newly create identity as the default. To do this, select the newly created identity, click the Action button, and then select Set as Default.


  5. Quit the Microsoft Database Utility, and then restart Outlook and see whether the problem is resolved.
Instead of telling our young people to plan ahead, we should tell them to plan to be surprised.
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csackey replied on

Hi Cody,

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

The error message is "Your database could not be rebuilt. [-18000]". This error is at Step 4 of 5: Recovering Data...

 

I have several mail accounts in this outlook setup.

 

Two are exchange, two pop accounts and one imap.

 

Regards

 

Carl

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dianeoforegon replied on

Generally when rebuild stops at step 4/5 it's lack of disk space. Follow the steps in basics and you should be able to rebuild. I suggest though that as long as your Identity will open that you move to a new Identity following these steps. Rebuilt Identities are not always free from issues.

How to move your data to a new Identity

Rebuild Basics:

  • Do Not Rebuild Identities with Exchange and IMAP accounts. Delete the accounts (this deletes the cache files in Outlook). Do the rebuild then add back accounts. Better yet start over in a new Identity. If the rebuild does not work then you could sync unwanted changes or deletions to your server and lose data.
  • Make sure you have plenty of free space on your drive. Make sure that you have at least three times as much hard disk space available as the current size of your Outlook identity PLUS 10% free for virtual memory.
  • Rebuilding does not fix all issues. It can make some problems worse. Even though the Database Utility will make a backup, I advise making a copy in the Finder first.
  • You can delete the rebuild version after you are satisfied with the results. This copy will be named like this: Main Identity [Backed up 1-21-2012 13.35]  

Tip: If your Identity will open, before you rebuild, check "On My Computer"Inbox and Sent folders to be sure they are under the 2GB limit. Generally this is less than 10,000 messages but with large attachments could be less. Make subfolders e.g. Inbox 2011, Inbox 2010, Sent 2011, Sent 2010 etc to help reduce the number of messages in a folder. (Check for any large archive folders you might have in addition to Inbox and Sent).
 
www.officeformachelp.com/
www.needhelp4mac.com/services/
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csackey replied on

Hello Diane,

 

Thanks for your response.

 

First of all, I have more than enough free space. The challenge I believe is that the identity would not open and that means that I do not have access to remove some accounts and carry out the rebuild process.

 

Is there any other step to follow to rebuild the identity?

 

Regards

 

Carl

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The answered status icon Answer
dianeoforegon replied on

First of all, I have more than enough free space

What do you consider enough free space? Previously with Entourage database we needed 500GB free to recover badly damaged databases. Since Outlook stores data differently, we don't know yet if having tons of free space will help, but it's possible if you had more space it would rebuild.

the identity would not open

You can try the steps in this article. It works for some users but not for everyone.

www.officeformachelp.com/
www.needhelp4mac.com/services/
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csackey replied on

Hello Diane,

 

Gues you are right. I have 180GB free space. Having said that, I am trying out the new process and freeing up some more space just to see what happens.

 

Regards

 

Carl

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csackey replied on

Hi Diane,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I have successfully rebuilt my databases. Just copied everything in my identities directory to my wife's macbook pro and run the rebuild from there and that solved my problem.

Copied it back to my macbook and ever since then it has been ok. 

Your advice on space was apt.

Thanks a million.

Regards

Carl
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dianeoforegon replied on

I'm glad it worked. Most users think I'm nuts when saying you need enormous amounts of free space, but it DOES work.


www.officeformachelp.com/
www.needhelp4mac.com/services/
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The answered status icon Answer
dianeoforegon replied on

For users that are reading this topic, If rebuilding with enough free space fails, you can try the method described here.

Outlook rebuild results in folders named Recovered

Other users with the -18000 error were able to successfully rebuild when it failed even with enough free space using this new option.
www.officeformachelp.com/
www.needhelp4mac.com/services/
1 person found this helpful

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william8888 replied on

hi Diane, after reading your topic, i got the same problem my identity crash and refuse to be rebuilt error 18000

my problem is my mac book air have a ssd drive of 128 go

what to do in my case? my identity (database anddata records) is around 8.3go

 

thank you

william

 

 

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