records vanishing - desperation!

[eleanor b]

Hello,

I have read a few other queries about this problem, but none seem to help me.
I have a database, not too large (c.2000 records), not complicated (very few macros, no referential integrity (I think), no reports, mainly simple queries).
Over the past few weeks records have started disappearing without trace. There is no pattern to the record numbers, and about 220 have gone so far. There is a main table (manuscripts), with links to other tables (manuscript notes, manuscript decisions). The records disappear from the manuscripts table, but the related records are left in the other tables.
Only five people use the database, no one has deliberately deleted anything in fact as we keep all information.

I have read other posts about how only a user or a query deletes records, but there are no delete queries in the database. Users do not access the tables, only forms, and do not delete anything. Many records that have disappeared were ones that were no longer consulted for any reason, so no one would have even opened the form.

Could this be a virus? I cannot believe that the database is too large.

I'm getting quite desperate about this!

Thanks

Eleanor

 

[Ron_dK]

Sounds to me that you losing data thru an "unprotected" combo box.

If you are using a combobox to select data on your main form, make sure that the combobox properties : 'limit to list' and 'auto expand' are set to Yes and No respectively.

 

[eleanor b]

thanks, I have done that and will see if any more disappear from now.
Eleanor

 

[jrjr]

I would suggest making a backup NOW if you have not done so. Then implement some plan to make regular backups in the future.

 

[eleanor b]

Of course I back it up, the problem being that I went away for four weeks and the problem started during this time, so by the time I got back, the weekly backups had been overwritten a few times by my not-so-alert colleagues.

Since then I make separate backups - but it is very hard to track when records disappear. I also do not seem to be able to copy & paste records back - the autonumber will not allow this, and error messages tell me that the text is too long for the fields - although nothing relating to field size has been changed.

eleanor