I will probably drop this phone number from the site later, but if anyone would prefer to call me about the problem noted with data transfer from Outlook 2003 to Entourage 2004, my number is XXX-XXX-XXXX. (removed)

best,
Steve Clemons

"I will probably drop this phone number from the site later, but if anyone would prefer to call me about the problem noted with data transfer from Outlook 2003 to Entourage 2004, my number is 202-XXX-XXXX."

You've got guts, Steve. I sincerely hope no one abuses the trust you just displayed.

Thanks POA -- It's not a completely impossible phone number to get, so no huge worries. But my data management is in crisis mode now...and have to work this out.

Best, Steve

What are the symptoms ?

Error message(s) etc

"Mac OSX is Linux with quality assurance and style" - JP Rangaswami

So, under Outlook 2003, did your email deliver to the Exchange folders, or to the local-harddrive PST file? Unfortunately, I have not worked with Entourage connecting to Exchange. However, it seems that if the Exchange account is setup and verified, but no data transfers when you sync, then the data may have been delivered to the local-harddrive PST file on your Windows PC.

When you send yourself a new email, does Entourage receive it?

Steve,

While I am a Mac person I am completely unfamiiar with Entourage. I have found that Apple discussions to be very helpful when I have needed extra help. So if you don't get a help from one of your readers you may try it. I did a search on importing contact info and this address is only the beginning of what I found.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107051

Good luck.

keith

You're probably safe using a Mac, but Microsoft
email has historically been the source of numerous
security problems. If there is Eudora for the Mac
I'd try that. The security is better and it is
just a simple email program. It does not try to
integrate everything (and doing it very badly)
as Microsoft Software does.

Ian

I believe that Eudora was originally made for the Mac. It definitely is still used - a lot - in the Mac world and is constantly updated and fully supported. All of my lab and journal employees use it, and it's on all of our machines.

I used to be chairman of the IT committee for our department. One of the first and best "rules" we made was: DO NOT USE OUTLOOK.

I think that rule has stood the test of time.

If possible, Steve, try Eudora. I think you'll love it.

All this speculation about Eudora is pointless if he's using any of the groupware functionality of Exchange server. Unfortunately, to benefit from using Exchange server, one must use a MAPI-compliant email client (i.e., Outlook, and I believe Entourage).

So, Steve's problem at hand has to do with data migration from Windows to OSX. It does not have to do with Outlook vs. Eudora. Agh!

worth a shot...my IT guy and I just worked on this very same problem last week,...go under accounts (in Entourage, under "tools"), go to the right and hit the "exchange" button, click on your exchange account, go under edit account and then go under advanced....under "sychronization options" click the "reset sychronization" button...only prob is you will then get absolutely flooded with all your old email, sent and drafts and whatnot, but you'll be good to go from there....

god speed

Dump Entourage and use the Apple mail client instead. The Apple Mail is far superior. You can teach it to filter the junk out of your mail, download emails to desktop folders, sinc your compter and server files, search your emails for keywords. Apple Mail is just superior to Entourage.

jonny

Steve,

I'm a long-time Mac user, as well as an Exchange admin. for the past several years. If you haven't solved it yet, email me and we'll fix your email's little red wagon. So to speak.

Happy Ney Year everyone!

check out this link.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311129/en-us
if it doesnt help resolve. go to support.microsoft.com and do a search: "entourage outlook"

good luck!

Thanks to all who posted and called. I got the email part going...now just trying to manage a transfer of contacts. Those who noted that I am constrained by the Exchange Server are correct. And since I do a lot of emailing, I need a system somewhat like Outlook. This has been a time-pit today, but your assistance and advice really helped.
Thanks,
Steve Clemons

Steve:
Use google email and solve all your problems with email. get on gmail.com

May I suggest you stay away from such buggy Microsoft programmes and server software.

To handle email just get a gmail account.

I can invite you to have one if you want. It gives you 2680 MB absolutely free space. And the full power of the Google Search feature is available so absolutely no filing of mail is required. You just set up whatever Labels you want. I do not even have to download attachments as they are safe on the Google server. It has made computing so easy.

This is the new way to handle email and as memory gets cheaper and cheaper, the size of storage will increase.

You can also download directly to your computer if you want using many protocols (POP, IMAP, etc.) so lond as they are not Microsoft oriented ones.

And the bugs with Outlook Express are not worth the trouble.

I have been Microsoft free for almost 10 years and not the worse for it.

Outlook be damned. Go gmail with your email.

I am having precisely the same problem and am desperate for some aid - over here in Europe everything is in a language I do not speak fluently. Any and all help you can forward would be deeply appreciated. I can't get my exchange server set up, for starters. But I have to have communication between Outlook & Entourage and I am also using a G4 Powerbook.
Thanks and good luck - I read your blog daily.

Avoid all Microsoft products if you can. They are top-heavy and buggy.

Oh, and I forgot non-intuitive.

that's not trusting -- that's desperate!

Just shows to go, it still takes a village.

Steve:

There are several self-help Mac sites on the internet that can help you get up and going quickly. One of the best and of very long standing is www.macfixit.com, a subscription site, but very much worth it if you're betting the bank each day on Powerbook uptime and need quick answers when you run into problems.

Also very useful: www.tidbits.com and their affiliated TidBits Talk discussion list. This one is free and extremely well moderated by Adam Engst and crew ... really a model for signal:noise discussion. Searchable archives back to the dawn of Mac time. [The weekly Tidbits newsletter is localized to many languages worldwide; discussion digests available].

Don't overlook their Mac-related ebooks, collected under the 'Take Control' series title.

RSS feeds available on all of these, I think.

Finally, I note that many reasonable bloggers are running on the Mac platform right now ... Kos, TPM, et al. I wonder if an informal 'back of the envelope' Mac blogger user group arrangement might be a useful thing among you so that all of you can stay up and running as much as possible. Hate to see folks waste hours beating their heads bloody when a 10 minute phone call might get them back to the good stuff.

James Atkinson
jatkin02atcoindotorg

Almost forgot: another great self-help site dedicated specifically to Mac + Windows integration.... www.macwindows.com.

See here for a one-stop Entourage/Exchange support area:

http://www.macwindows.com/entourage.html

JA

This site seems to have links to useful software:

http://www.snerdware.com/pr/2004/8/10SMHGroupcal.html

I've run a PBG4 for nearly 2 years now. You'll never look back :)

Micro$oft's non-intuitive top-heavy buggy software keeps me employed with its... um, many exclusive features.

But, yeah, a tech support site and forum for Mac (and other non-Windows) bloggers... there's an idea that needs implementing NOW.

Steve,, I havent used entourage,, but Apple Mail under Tiger will do it very neatly, set up a new mail account as an exchange account and go from there.. it is very straight forward,, I have some screen shot of it if you have any issues.. ok,, thnaks for the great site by the way..

As you get up to speed on your PBook you will need some assistance now & again for some of the more "esoteric issues"

Contact your local Mac user group, I`m sure there are many in the area & some are specific to the setting (Congress, Fed, NASA etc)

these folks have been around a loooong time

Washington Apple Pi

and yea, stay away from M$oft products as much as you can; no matter what you want to do, you don`t need them

(Disclaimer - I worked there as a contract person most of the 90`s)

"The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck will be the day they start making vacuum cleaners." - gpirujo@ciudad.com.ar

Steve (if you're still reading these),

I'm with rend; OS X's built-in mail client "Mail" is a superior native client to the various third-party offerings (Eudora, Thunderbird, MS Entourage, etc.). Unless you have specific needs concerning an Outlook server (i.e., the calendar/scheduling stuff), OS X Mail should do the trick -yes, even if pointed at an Outlook server.

Best of luck.

-p

In a pinch you might be able to use Outlook Web Access (OWA). I have an exchange account with mailstreet and use the web access to get in.

I am not sure if you might have browser issues though....Msoft doesn't always work and play well with others.

Hi Steve
I have been a PC user at work (not by choice) but a Mac user at all other times (definitely by choice!). I am currently using a Powerbook G4. I found that a big help for me with any Mac issues has always been the Genius Bar or the Studio Bar at the local Apple Store. There appear to be several in the DC area. Take a look at the following link to find the location of one near you. The Genius Bar tends to be more hardware oriented, while the Studio Bar appears to be more software (especially graphics, etc) oriented. However the guys working at either of those counters (and certain of the other staff) seem to really know the issues and how to get them solved very quickly. I suggest you drop by one (or better yet, go online at website for the store and make an appointment) and talk with them. They have helped me out many times (without charge!!). Good Luck. Tom
PS: You will fall in love with your Powerbook G4, and never want to return to PC-land. :-)

Steve -

I'm using Entourage in a primarily Windows environment, all running off of Windows Small Business Server 2003. It wasn't pretty, but I've finally managed to get all the functionality (like shared calendars and contacts) as my cohorts running Outlook.

The only "issue" I have is a lingering "invalid certificate" warning I'll get when launching Entourage - but after dismissing the dialog all functions well.

As far as playing well with Exchange, I'll suggest perusing some of the topics listed here:

http://support.microsoft.com/search/default.aspx?query=Entourage+Exchange&catalog=LCID%3D1033&pwt=false&title=false&kt=ALL&mdt=0&comm=1&ast=1&ast=2&ast=3&mode=a&x=0&y=0&spid=global

My .02 Euros, anyway.

Carry on, Mr. C.

-jimmy (who donated $100 to the cause late December - is that tax deductable?)

Hi Steve
Sorry - I forgot to include the link ti Apple Store in my earlier post. Here it is:
http://www.apple.com/retail/

Steve,
Are you connecting to an Exchange server over the internet? Is that Exchange server behind a firewall?
Did you let Entourage set itself up as an Exchange "client"?
If your servers are remote and behind a firewall, check with the system administrator of the email server and get the appropriate VPN (virtual private network) software.
Entourage can be configured to connect w/out a VPN but I'd have to look up the details.
Don't forget, your Exchange server is probably running OWA... Outlook Web Access. All you need to know is the name of your server (again see sys admin)and you can connect anywhere with a web connection. Everything stays remote on the server and you can sync your laptop.
Anyway,good luck
Peter Taylor
Macintosh Support
Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center
Emeryville, CA

Dissing Exchange, Outlook, and Entourage isn't helpful here, however justified a technical critique might be. In particular, the MBOX format used by most Unix-based or Unix-ancestored email applications is readily convertible to and from the PST format used by Exchange, but it's not the same. If you are using an Exchange server, you need a PST compatible client.

Without knowing any of the details, my first guess would be that your Exchange server isn't configured with all of the appropriate incatantions to make the synchronization go smoothly.

For what it's worth, here's the Microsoft blurb on the topic (http://www.microsoft.com/mac/support.aspx?pid=exchange):

Setting up Microsoft Entourage 2004 for Mac

Client-side requirements for Entourage 2004

- Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later

- Entourage 2004 for Mac (available as part of Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac)

Server-side requirements

- Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 (with Service Pack 2) or later must be installed. This is required for WebDAV support.

- Outlook Web Access must be installed and active.

- The following protocols must be enabled: WebDAV (used by Outlook Web Access and Entourage 2004) and LDAP.

Set up and use the client

If Entourage 2004 is the best choice for the client, and the preceding requirements are met, then you must configure an Exchange account in Entourage.

Ensure that the computer is connected to a network that has access to the Exchange server.

To set up an Exchange account with default settings, use the Account Setup Assistant. The Assistant uses the account ID, password, and domain that you provide to automatically detect the correct settings for an account. The Assistant uses the DNS servers configured in the client Network System Preferences to locate the Active Directory global catalog server authoritative for the domain, and sends an LDAP query using the account ID and password to authenticate the user. In addition to receiving Exchange mail, all Contacts and Calendar items are synchronized with the Exchange server. If a user later decides to exclude some of his or her contacts or Calendar items from synchronization, he or she will be able to do so.

To set up the client account

In Entourage, on the Tools menu, click Accounts.
Click the Exchange tab, and then click New. (If you see the New Account dialog box, click the Assist Me button.)

Follow the instructions in the Account Setup Assistant.

To set up your account without the Assistant, click Configure account manually.

Notes:

If you want to specify synchronization settings while you are setting up your account, you can configure the account manually. You can also configure the account manually after the Assistant has attempted automatic configuration.

If you create more than one Exchange server account, by default all additional accounts will not synchronize Contacts and Calendar items with the Exchange server. To set up additional accounts that synchronize these items, configure the account manually.

Entourage 2004 offers the best option for Exchange users who are using a Mac with OS X. This Exchange e-mail client provides customers with comprehensive Exchange functionality, including robust e-mail, group calendaring, and support for public folders and delegation in a corporate Mac environment.

Limitations

Possible drawbacks to this solution may include the following:

Entourage 2004 provides a solution for e-mail, group calendaring, scheduling, Global Address Book, and delegation only. Certain advanced Exchange features such as voting, shared tasks, shared notes, and server-side rules, are not accessible.

Entourage 2004 does not provide full public folder or delegation support.

_____________________________________________

There's also an extensive discussion available on the Microsoft website about configuring Exchange to play well with Entourage:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/3/c/a3cc1743-3d24-41fd-b6cc-5cd5fde04e97/WorkingWithExchangeServer.pdf

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Kevin Bell

Oops. One more thing, just in case you don't already have instructions for how it's supposed to work - a blurb from University of Indiana:

In Mac OS X, how do I synchronize my Exchange Contacts with my local Address Book?

Note: These instructions apply to Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) and later.

To configure your OS X Address Book application so that it synchronizes with your Exchange Contacts, follow these steps:

In Address Book, from the Address Book menu, select Preferences... .

In the preferences window, click General.

Click the checkbox next to Synchronize with Exchange, then click the Configure... button.

In the sheet that appears, enter your Network ID username and password. Next to "Outlook Web Access Server:", enter the address: https://www.exchange.iu.edu/exchange/username Replace username with your username. If you wish, click the Synchronize every hour checkbox. Click OK.

Open iSync, and click the Exchange icon to view the Exchange settings.

Next to "For first sync:", you have two options:

If you wish to combine your local Address Book and your Exchange Contacts into a single list, choose Merge data on computer and device.
If you wish to remove your existing Exchange Contacts and replace them with the contents of your OS X Address Book, choose Erase data on device then sync.

Click Sync Now to synchronize your data. If you didn't choose to automatically synchronize your data every hour, you should synchronize frequently with iSync to keep your Address Book and Exchange Contacts up to date.
Once iSync has completed its synchronization, you will be able to access your Contacts from Address Book or any application that ties into Address Book (e.g., OS X Mail).

Instructions from Microsoft for your SysAdmin (on the Exchange server end of things)

Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac: Working with Exchange Server

And an Entourage/Exchange 2004 FAQ page

Good luck.

For pity's sake, could those suggesting GMail or Apple Mail or whatever pipe down? Yes, they're good. But they're not relevant here.

Anyway, iSync should be your friend here.

How can so many so called "computer experts" be unable to read a simple request for help.
He doesn't want suggestions for new email services, just help with what he has!

Another recommendation to drop Entourage entirely.

Instead, use Apple's built in suite of Mail.app, Address Book, and iCal.

It's more flexible and configurable for large email volumes. It also allows for system Spotlight searches within email.

If you need to subscribe to an Outlook server in the future, then yes, you are stuck with Entourage. But that doesn't seem to be your situation.

If you do try going with Mail.app, try the free add-on Mail Tags to expand it's capabilities.

I was able to get contacts imported to Entourage, but never user groups. I had to recreate them all one by one.

Cy says it's b/c Entourage is a Microsoft product and therefore inherently crappy.