Can't import Entourage database despite into Mail despite EVERYTHING?

Question

I want to complete my transition to Apple but have not been able to import my 16GB Entourage 2004 database despite 7 billion (give or take) attempts, and AppleCare support sessions that ended up with the old finger pointing at Microsoft. But rebuilding the Entourage database several time and checking its integrity (it's ok) with Entourage's Database Utility hasn't changed anything. The list of things I've tried is below, but the result is always the same; It gets about 3 minutes into the process, maybe about 1/20th of the progress bar, then stops (at a different file every time -- you can read which one it's on in the import panel), then nothing happens because everything freezes, not just the program, but the entire computer, which I haven't seen since OS9. Meaning I get the beachball but no matter how long I wait (all night once) I can't force quit, can't quit from the dock icon, can't change programs, can't access apple menu, nothing but turn it off. By the way I've done such Mail imports successfully on other computers so I know I'm doing the basics right. AND (get this) I've been able to import from the same database into iCal and Address Book. I do suspect it's a Microsoft database issue but I've rebuilt it several time and verified its integrity with the to no avail. If anyone can help I'd be deeply appreciative, and be proudly all-Apple finally. The things I've tried unsuccessfully:
Started with the basic File/Import Mailboxes/Entourage as on other Macs
Rebuilding Entourage database several times
Rebuilding permissions multple times
Restarting (billions of times)
Trying it with and without mailboxes set up in Mail
Re-installing Mail and running update
Installing new OS system and running all updates (Archive and install)
Running TechTools deluxe
Trying to import one folder at a time instead of all
Trying to drag Entourage folders to desktop then import as an mbox file (Mail doesn't recognize valid data)
Checked and installed any software updates, rebuilt permissions again, restarted
Ran Microsoft Autoupdate, I'm up to date
Tried doing it under Safe Boot
Checked the available disk space -- 360GB, plenty of room
Trying to drag Entourage messages to Mail (doesn't work)
No other problems with the computer
Anyone, please? You're unofficially crowned King/Queen of Apple and get a trophy for beating their AppleCare tech support if you can figure it out,
THANK YOU,
Neil

Answer 1

One thing to make sure when you are importing is that Entourage has to be running when you do the import.