5 Simple Tips to Prevent MS Access Database Corruption
It's important to understand that any time an Access client disconnects unexpectedly, it may set a "corruption flag" in the .mdb file indicating that the database is in a corrupt state (regardless of whether any data has actually been corrupted or not). Any user who attempts to open the database while this flag is set will receive a message, and the database will have to be repaired before it can be used. If the users don't have permission to perform the repair, or don't know how to perform the repair, there may be significant downtime before the database is available again. This can result in a loss of productivity as well as extreme frustration for the users. Following the 5 tips below will minimize your odds of data loss from corruption in your Access databases.
1) Split your database.
The single most important thing you can do to prevent corruption in MS Access databases is to split the database into a "front-end" and a "back-end". The front-end contains all of the forms, queries, and reports, while the back-end contains only the data tables. A copy of the front-end is placed on each user's computer, and the back-end with the table data is stored in a shared folder on the network. How does this prevent corruption? Well, consider the amount of information that must make it across your network to your computer each time you open a form or report. If one bit of that information doesn't make it intact, you risk corrupting your database. Alternatively, if the forms, queries and reports are all stored on your local computer, then the only bit of information that needs to traverse the network is the actual table data. By reducing the amount of data you need to move back and forth across the network, you significantly reduce the chances of corrupting your database. If you're having corruption problems with an Access database on a network drive, splitting the database is the single most important thing you can do to stop it.
2) Don't hold connections open.
This one applies to both programmers and users. If you're a programmer, make sure you close your connections as soon as possible after using them. Leaving the connections open will allow more opportunities for an "unexpected" dropped connection. The only time you may want to leave a connection open longer than required would when it's used inside a loop. For such a case, open the connection at the beginning of the loop, and then close it after the loop is completed. Just make sure it gets closed for all cases (including exceptions).
If you're using a Microsoft Access database or application, be sure to close it when you're finished. Again, leaving the application open provides the opportunity for corruption if a network connection is lost. Remind users to always close the application before going home, as nightly backup jobs may fail or cause corruption in the shared file if there are open connections.
3) Exit the database correctly.
Always close the database or application correctly. Ctrl-Alt-Delete/End Task can wreak havoc on Access databases. Whenever possible, complete your tasks, then close the application using the File - Exit menu option or alternative Exit option provided by the application.
4) Don't skimp on hardware.
Remember that the corruption flag can be set from the slightest packet loss between your computer and the database file. MS Access has sometimes been called "the canary in the coal mine". It has gained this reputation from being the first application to "die" when there's the slightest hint of trouble on your network. Just like the slightest presence of gas caused the canary to die, the slightest presence of network problems and packet loss can kill your Access applications. Make sure you're not using the cheap built-in NICs that come with some PCs. Instead, use brand name network cards. The same goes for cheap hubs. Whenever possible, match good brands of equipment throughout your network.
5) Compact and repair regularly.
Performing the built-in compact and repair function regularly is recommended to prevent corruption and improve performance. Consider automating this function with a utility to compact and repair all of your databases nightly or during the weekend.
Error messages to look out for - the following error messages may signal database corruption:
"The database 'databasename.mdb' needs to be repaired or isn't a Microsoft Access database file."
"Record(s) can't be read, no read permissions on 'databasename.mdb'"
"Unexpected Error 35012"
"Unrecognized database format 'databasename.mdb'."
"'databasename.mdb' isn't an index in this table. Look in the Indexes collection of the TableDef object to determine the valid index names."
"The Microsoft Jet database engine could not find the object 'databases'. Make sure the object exists and that you spell its name and path name correctly."
"The database has been placed in a state by user '' on machine '' that prevents it from being opened or locked"
"Disk Error -- Reserved error (-1601)"
"The database has been placed in an unexpected state."
"Record(s) cannot be read; no read permission on 'MSysObjects'"
"Record(s) cannot be read; no read permission on 'MSysACEs'."
"The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot find the input table or query 'MSysAccessObjects'. Make sure it exists and that its name is spelled correctly."
Conclusion:
While you may never be able to prevent all Microsoft Access database corruption, you should be able to stop 98% of the problems before they occur by following these 5 simple tips. Follow these tips and implement a prudent automated backup schedule to minimize your odds of significant data loss.
Kevin Sparks is a technical writer for Kaizen Software Solutions, the producer of Digital DBA, an automated MS Access monitoring, backup, and compact/repair utility. For more information, visit their website at http://www.kzsoftware.com/products/digitaldba
MORE RESOURCES:
Data Recovery Services Post RAID Controller Failure Boosh News (press release) (blog) However, if no backups exist, an organization should get in touch with the RAID experts by acquiring professional data recovery services. ... |
Linux Data Recovery to Data Loss Due to Write-Back Caching Techniques Boosh News (press release) (blog) These instances of data loss can be countered and the recovery of your valuable data can be done through technologies like LINUX data recovery. ... |
USB Pen Drive Data Retrieval Tool MyNC.com Pro Data Doctor Company provides Pen drive data recovery software retrieves lost, missing digital pictures, audio songs, video albums and multimedia GIF ... |
Data Recovery Services Announces File Access Collaboration with CompTIA TMCnet Data Recovery Services has announced a strategic partnership with CompTIA (News - Alert). This deal will help grant easy access to ... Data Recovery Services announces partnership with CompTIA |
Find Solutions For Lost Data Recovery Online! Boosh News (press release) (blog) The mere mention of the words “lost data recovery” is enough to send a shiver down the spine of any ordinary person afraid to perform a reformatting of his ... Deleted Data Recovery is No Longer Just a Dream Help With Lost Files - Freeware Data Recovery Tips to Restore Your Data Fast Data Recovery Programs Are Here to Protect Your Files |
SalvationDATA Data Recovery Training to Be Held in October 18-22, 2010 Online PR News (press release) A 5 days' data recovery training will be held by SalvationDATA in the third week of October in Chengdu, China. And the enrolment of this data recovery ... |
Format Data Recovery - Why You Should Look For Tools Now! Boosh News (press release) (blog) Did you know that you can perform format data recovery on your own? Sounds like a hoax, a scam, a total abomination? Well, you better believe it – because ... |
Thanks to Hard Disk Data Recovery Services I Got My Data Back! Boosh News (press release) (blog) Till the day I was not aware of hard disk data recovery, and had an idea that once you loose any data due to hard disk crash, it is gone for ever. ... |
 Advanced American Media Project | Data Recovery Software in High Demand Following Zurich Fine Advanced American Media Project It is also a mistake that can, perhaps, be prevented or at worst resolved with data recovery software such as that provided by software company File R/D, ... |
Data recovery Software to perform Linux recovery And Mac recovery Siliconindia.com (blog) These situations leave you stuck, as nothing comes into your mind, where all the data gone and you want any Mac data recovery software to recover back your ... |
Disaster Recovery- Managing the Risk
Helping your business survive in the event of an unforeseen disaster: Most business failures are not from bad business but from bad business practices.Most companies that fail are the ones that have not planned how their business will continue to function in the event of a disaster.
Data Recovery The Easy Way
If you aren't prepared in advance, you will most likely have to use a data recovery service or data recovery software solution to help get back as much as you can of what was lost. This can be a very good idea if there is no other way to recover your files, but it doesn't have to come to that in most cases.
Data Recovery Processes
Six months ago my computer crashed. When I turned my computer on it would not load Windows XP and so I could not get into my two hard drive files.
I Lost It! Simple Guide To Recovering Corrupted Images And Files
WinUndelete http://www.deprice.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - Reducing Your Risk Profile
Like all plans, there is an ultimate goal to achieve. The goal in a business continuity plan is simply that: to continue your business in the face of a disaster or a disruption.
Read This Now: Its Not If You Will Lose Your Data, Its When Will You Lose Your Data
With Adware, SpyWare, E-Mail Viruses, Java Script Viruses and Hardware failures It isn't a matter of If you will loose your Data it is a matter of When you will loose your Data! By spending a few extra minutes now using a Simple Back Up Strategy, you can save yourself big headaches later.You Should Always have a Full Backup of your Online Business Directory and all it's subdirectories for the Last 4 Weeks as well daily incremental backups for a month or More.
Computer Data Recovery Options
Losing files on your computer can be a frightening experience if the files are of importance to you personally or professionally. Computer data recovery techniques include the most simple of operations, like simply retrieving an accidentally deleted file, to very complex file retrieval procedures that only professionals should attempt to do.
The Importance of Data Backups
All computers and their components are subject to failure. In fact sooner or later every business will be confronted with some type of computer failure.
Sea-Front or Action-gate
June 25, 2005Seagate Technologies' web site now indicates the company offers data recovery services. Further investigation shows the shipping address, the place to send your subject drive for data recovery service, actually belongs to ActionFront Data Recovery.
When Disaster Strikes: How Long Would Your Business Survive if Files On Your Computer Disappeared?
A Tornado? In Birmingham? In The United Kingdom? Unthinkable!Yes, in July 2005 (while I was putting finishing touches to my cave-house in Spain) my house, along with many of my neighbours' houses was struck by a powerful tornado that literally tore up the streets. Leaving people homeless as their homes were bulldozered (with all their possessions inside).
Backup -- But Where To?
We all know we have to backup regularly, but those backups files can get huge. Add that to your existing your files and your notebook computer hard drive seems to have shrunk overnight.
Avoiding Hard Disk Data Recovery Services
As a home computer owner, one of the greatest threats to your information and to your wallet, is hard disk failure. When your drive crashes, you will quicky realize how valuable the information you can no longer access is.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery - Selecting A Business Continuity Strategy
The risk analysis and business impact analysis have identified risks to key business functions. Also, the potential impacts and probabilities of these risks as well as the costs to prevent or mitigate damages and the time to recover will have been established.
Data Backup Solution: Why You Need a Backup Plan in Place - Part 2
In the first part of this article series, I talked about the three main threats to the data on your computer. I talked about the need for a data backup solution that protects your data properly.
HasYour Computer Hard Drive Ever Crashed? Are You Challenged by Backups?
The following scenario's have probably been repeated thousands of times, on computer systems of all kinds and sizes, operated by all levels of users from complete novice, to expert user. You log on and your computer will not boot to your operating system.
5 Simple Tips to Prevent MS Access Database Corruption
It's important to understand that any time an Access client disconnects unexpectedly, it may set a "corruption flag" in the .mdb file indicating that the database is in a corrupt state (regardless of whether any data has actually been corrupted or not).
The Seven Golden Rules Of Data Backups
Backups of company data are carried out for two main reasons. The first is to cater for those times when a document is inadvertently deleted or damaged and you wish to recover the original document; the second is as part of a disaster recovery plan in case something catastrophic happens to your computers (e.
Want To Beat The Odds? Disaster Recovery Planning is Essential
Statistics show two out of five businesses go out of business within five years of experiencing a major disaster.These statistics are staggering.
Bill Gates Made Data Recovery Easy
Bill gates provided a ready made option in Microsoft windows, which is very useful for data recovery.Several time we make mistakes unknowingly and we lost our data, then we need to recover the data.
Backup Your Data Or Lose Your Life!
Oh the perils of collecting those precious photos on your PC for years, only to have your hard drive crash one day, and not have made a SINGLE BACKUP COPY of any of your priceless pictures. Well, now is the time to backup your hard drive.