ENT2001: Error Message Appears When You Try to Migrate Identities Data from One Macintosh to Another (296923)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Entourage 2001 for Mac

This article was previously published under Q296923

SYMPTOMS

While you are migrating data from one Macintosh computer to another Macintosh computer by using a Local Talk cable, Ethernet, or external media, the following error message may appear when you try to copy the Identities folder:
The database could not be moved because it is in use.
You are unable to migrate the identity data from the first computer to the second computer.

CAUSE

This error message typically appears because another Microsoft Office 2001 program is running while you are trying to migrate Identities data from one computer to another.

RESOLUTION

IMPORTANT: The extensive steps that are outlined in this article assume that you are proficient in moving and copying files and folders on a Macintosh computer and that you have either a device that handles large files or a network connection that has shared folders established between the Macintosh computers that are involved in the file transfer.

To resolve this behavior, follow these steps to move Identities data from one computer (the "first" computer) to another computer (the "second" computer):
  1. On both computers, quit any Microsoft programs that are running. If you are using the QuickView reminders feature, you must also turn off this feature. The QuickView icon is located on the Control Strip; click turn off reminders.
  2. On the first computer, make a backup copy of your existing identity, and then place the copy on the desktop.
  3. On the second computer, make sure that there is no data in Entourage. If you have been using Entourage and you want to save the data, go to HardDrive:Documents:Microsoft User Data:Office 2001 Identities, drag the Identities folder to the desktop, and then rename the folder New Identity.
  4. If you are using external media (a zip disk or compact disc) to migrate your data:
    1. On the first computer, drag the Microsoft User Data folder from the hard disk drive to the external media that you are using.
    2. Transfer the external media to the second computer, and open the media so that you can see the Microsoft User Data folder.
    3. On the second computer, go to Hard Drive:Documents, and then drag the Microsoft User Data folder from the external media to the Documents folder.
  5. If the two computers are connected through an Ethernet or Local Talk cable:
    1. On the second computer, view both hard disk drives, and then open the HardDrive:Documents path on each hard disk drive.
    2. Drag the existing Microsoft User Data folder from the first hard disk drive to the Documents folder on the second hard disk drive.
  6. After you place the Microsoft User Data folder on the second hard disk drive, start Entourage to make sure that all the data is present.
  7. If you had data in Entourage on the second computer and you placed the New Identity folder on the desktop, you must to put the New Identity folder back into the Office 2001 Identities folder to import the data to your existing identity. Drag the Identity folder from the desktop to HardDrive:Documents:Microsoft User Data:Office 2001 Identities. The Office 2001 Identities folder should now have two Identity folders.

    Note that you must save and import subfolders individually. They are not included when you drag the parent folder from Entourage.
  8. Place the backup copy of your identity in a safe place, either on your hard drive or on a zip disk.
  9. Empty the trash.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about identities and storage locations in Entourage, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

268323 ENT2001: Storage Locations for Entourage User Data


268443 Overview of Identities in Entourage


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/13/2001
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB296923