corrupt clipper database. 1

[poporacer]

I have a clipper database (I assume it is clipper based because the bat file for opening it has the following code:
set clipper=V010;R016;F035;E0
main /P
set clipper=

This database is one that we use a lot, and one of my assistants opened one of the DBF files in Excel and inadvertantly save it in a DB IV format. The program works fine except for one routine where the program just quits. I have an OLD backed up version that works fine. Is there a routine that I can use to merge the DB IV file with the Clipper file while retaining the clipper format. We have added approximately 4000 records since the last back up.
Thanks for your assistance.

 

[JCreamerII]

poporacer,

Did the save in EXCEL change the structure of the dbf files. If yes, that is a separate issue to deal with. There is a program Y2KDBFIX.exe, (google it) when run against the dbf in question will fix the header, and if that is the only problem you should be all set. EXCEL has a propensity to change the structure of the dbf, makes numeric fields larger than they were, converts characters to numeric, stuff like that. You could also strip out the records in the EXCEL modified dbf and append them into the restored version. But generally some analogous file would be missing a record(s), depending on how the app is wired. Changing the structure from III to IV may not be a big deal, it's the EXCEL effect that I would expect to be the issue. You have to be careful opening the older dbf type files with the Microsoft apps, they tend to alter the files in a bad way. If you want to use those tools copy the data out to another directory and have at it.

Jim C.

 

[GriffMG]

If you are lucky, and you can find a copy of DBU.EXE you might be able to import your slightly corrupted table in the structure of your back-up.

Do you know if you have memo fields?

They are likely to be problematic.

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[poporacer]

Thanks for the input...the structure of the DB was not changed...just some data was entered and/or changes were made to the data. I am not sure if the issue is with the DB itself or with the index file. I can not find Y2KDBFIX.exe. I have found references to it on both Google and Yahoo, but no site to download from. The few FTP sites I found are no longer running. I did not find DBU.exe but another program that might work (CLUT)...I will try it and see if it works. I have input some of the data and I think if I can append the Excel "enhanced" version with the clipper version then it just might work!

Thanks

 

[GriffMG]

Oh, and I have a copy of DBU.exe if you want to try it

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[GriffMG]

Yes dbu would probably help.

It's a simple DOS application that used to be distributed with Clipper - I googled it and found a copy here:

http://www.filesearching.com/cgi-bin/s?t=n&l=en&q=ftp.kmivc.ru/pub/Exploit/_Util/DBUtil

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing

 

[poporacer]

Thanks, I tried DBU...I couldn't get it to work properly. I downloaded it and ran it from the command prompt. I tried to open the DB and got an error that it couldn't open the DB. I tried opening another current clipper DB and it wouldn't open that either. I am not sure what the issue is? I googled and yahooed DBU but could not find anything...I guess your Google is better than mine....lol.
It looks like (at least from the onset) that if I can get DBU to work, I can get done what I need. Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[GriffMG]

Hi Popracer

Our hosts are not happy with the idea of posting email addresses on here - so, I've posted a copy of DBU.EXE
at this address:

http://www.finedata.com/support/dbu.zip

You can follow that site around to contact me if you wish.

B-)

Regards

Griff
Keep [Smile]ing