Please Help!!! Inconsistant State

[chellebell1689]

I've been working from scratch on a database for my church. For the last couple weeks I've been working on a directory via a series of subreports (just so it will all print together. I was working on some collages for the events that have happened this year when all of a sudden my laptop told me the database was unavailable. I saved everything that was opened (which was only one form and a table), closed the db, then opened it back up. Now when I open it, I get an "inconsistant state" error (picture attached). It says it will repair the db and then goes about a quarter of the way on the repair bar, the freezes. It creates a backup while doing this, but the back up just does the same thing. If I click on the original file (or even the last back up made) I just get one table that says a bunch of errors (also attached).

Please tell me there's a way to recover all my work...it's saved on a hard drive that stays up at the church. (there's no crying sad face...)

 

[chellebell1689]

I just got this error when if finally finished (I'm assuming). Then a pop up said there's not enough disk space. There's 7.45 GB left on the hard drive and 285 GB on my laptop. The last back up was 2,097,152 KB and the original is 1,328KB (so it says...)

 

[gemma-the-husky]

a 2Gb database hits the access limit and immediately becomes unusable, and possibly non recoverable.

How can you have 2Gb. Do you have a lot of pictures/images embedded in your forms/reports?

make at least one copy of the database before you do anything, then create a blank database, and see if you can import any of the data tables from the bad database. I doubt if you will be able to, but it's worth a try.

I hope you have a useable backup. It's a hard lesson to learn, but it reinforces the need for regular backups.

I split databases, I have a safe backup of the code (frontend) that is never ever used, and while developing I save changes to a fresh version probably at 2 hourly intervals, depending how much work I've done. (version 1.01, 1.02, 1.03 etc etc. You never know when some problem can strike. Data tables should be backed up every day.


(not sure about the accdb attachment you uploaded. it says it's a php file, not a database)

 

[GinaWhipp]

@gemma-the-husky

You need to reload the page under Tools > Compatibility View Settings on IE Menu Bar to get the actual file.

 

[Galaxiom]

@gemma-the-husky

You need to reload the page under Tools > Compatibility View Settings on IE Menu Bar to get the actual file.

Or rename the downloaded file. It is just the name that gets messed up.

 

[GinaWhipp]

Well, the file you uploaded is tiny and missing Tables, probably Forms also. Can't really help without the complete file.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

@gina.

thx for the note about the dbs. As you say, the upload is no use.

 

[chellebell1689]

@Gemma
Yea I was working on the directory for the church and we had I think 14 pages (front and back). But only about half had pictures. I tried restoring to a previous version, but it said there was none. Not sure how I get previous versions; anytime I go look at that (always wondered what it was), it's empty. I'll try to import like you said.

@Gina
That's the whole file. That's all I can gain access to. I kind of feel like there's more to it, but I have to gain access somehow...

 

[chellebell1689]

Not sure if this matters or not, but in the file that my db is located. It shows the current version (Back up of Back up of NHBC Master Records) and a duplicate, but the duplicate has a little lock on it. I have noticed in the past I will see this duplicate, but when the db is closed it disappears (which is not the case now).

 

[Galaxiom]

I tried restoring to a previous version, but it said there was none. Not sure how I get previous versions;anytime I go look at that (always wondered what it was), it's empty.

This feature requires Volume Shadow Copy Service to be running.

I have noticed in the past I will see this duplicate, but when the db is closed it disappears..

What you are seeing is the lock file for the database.

 

[chellebell1689]

Is it possible to unlock it? Would I be able to get the data??

 

[Galaxiom]

Is it possible to unlock it? Would I be able to get the data??

The appearance of the lock file is the normal process when the database is working properly. Your data is not locked, it is corrupted because you went over the Access 2GB limit. You need to face the fact and learn the important lesson about regular backups.

Your last hope would be a professional data recovery company that can dismantle the file but I would not be hopeful.

 

[GinaWhipp]

In the file you uploaded there are no reports and no forms only some tables and a couple of queries. So, you will need to find/restore one that has those items or nothing to repair.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

Not sure if this matters or not, but in the file that my db is located. It shows the current version (Back up of Back up of NHBC Master Records) and a duplicate, but the duplicate has a little lock on it. I have noticed in the past I will see this duplicate, but when the db is closed it disappears (which is not the case now).

I expect the "duplicate" is not a duplicate, but is the .ldb /,laccdb file. If your folders are not showing extensions it will be hard to tell them apart.
check that this is just 1Kb or so. you should be able to delete it.

for every database access manages a "locking" file which keeps a record of the active users. This is deleted when the last user leaves, which is what you are seeing.

one thing - you mentioned images in your database. The recommendation is always to link rather than embed images. images always cause a tremendous amount of dbs bloating, and may well be the cause of your large database.

you mentioned you had a file called backup of backup .... this is a sign that something was already going wrong - it sounds like access was trying to repair itself. do you really have no backups anywhere? do a windows search for "nhbc" of whatever your dbs was called. don't open any of these databases again without copying it first, just in case you can recover it.

 

[chellebell1689]

In the file you uploaded there are no reports and no forms only some tables and a couple of queries. So, you will need to find/restore one that has those items or nothing to repair.

It seems you're seeing more than I am...attached is a screen shot of what I see when I open that file (the original one and the one downloaded from this post)

 

[chellebell1689]

The only other copies of this db I have are the ones I modified to post on here when I was having problems, but I haven't posted on in months. That being said, a db from a few months ago is a crap lot better than starting from scratch! I just hope I can remember everything and how I did everything.

 

[GinaWhipp]

Right, the Forms and Reports are not in there, you really need to find a backup. Have you checked Windows Previous Versions? Right mouse click on the file and check the Previous Versions tab, other than that they are just gone and will need to be recreated.

 

[chellebell1689]

Oh ok, I got a little confuse because you said you saw queries and tables. I only see one table (nothing else) and it just has errors on it.

Yea I tried that. There was nothing there. I'll just create the directory in it's own db and link the pictures like someone said in an earlier post. Now I'm wondering if I can get the main database (once I recreate that) to send info to the directory database.

Thanks for the help and advice guys! I really appreciate it!

 

[gemma-the-husky]

The only other copies of this db I have are the ones I modified to post on here when I was having problems, but I haven't posted on in months. That being said, a db from a few months ago is a crap lot better than starting from scratch! I just hope I can remember everything and how I did everything.

you certainly do find yourself able to rebuild things easier than you did them in the first place. hopefully you can get back to where you were reasonably easily.

Without labouring the point, keep a separate folder with master versions of your databases from time to time. don't even use these directly. (try not to even think of them as copies. Think of them as master versions) If you get another issue and need to go back, make a working copy of the master version.

If you haven't done so, this is a good point to split the database so the data tables and your forms and code are in separate databases.

 

[chellebell1689]

Thanks. I'll have to look into splitting the db. I have no earthly idea what that is or how to do it. Thanks again for the advice and the confidence boost.