Microsoft Outlook for Mac 2011 running on MAC OSx Snow Leopard Version 10.6.8

Version 14.2.2 (120421) – latest available updates applied

Email account configured in Exchange Mode – Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Service Pack 2

The Inbox was synchronizing with the Exchange server (new messages were arriving and messages could be sent) except that no attachment could be downloaded or opened. The status bar message was displaying „ Downloading attachements 0 of 14 "

We tried to restart, update, reboot even to repair the database, afterwards still the same message appeared.

Next, we cleared the cache for the inbox folder. The messages disapeared from the inbox and start synchronising again. After a while, when the sync was finished we only found 200 emails out of approx. 4000.  After checking the webmail, we were surprised to find that the emails were missing there also.

Could this clear cache operation determine the email loss?

What about the initial error - Downloading attachements 0 of 14?

Operations were made in the same network with the server therefore no connection problems arised. Network interface WLAN.

I'm working from home for several weeks. Remote access to Exchange server not available, so the server auto-forwards all email to my Gmail account. 

But I obviously want replies and outbound business messages to show my work address, not Gmail, for several reasons, including:

  • If the emails go via work, copies will sit on the Exchange server for access later and archive
  • Not everyone knows I'm working from home, and want to keep it that way
  • Don't want every Tom, Dick or Harriet selling stuff to know my Gmail address.

I can do this on PC 2010, and can do it in raw Gmail but can't see how to do it on Outlook Mac 2011 which is my preferred email client.

Please help