damaged dbf file

[Pete56]

We have been writing crystal reports against .dbf files for a couple of years - files that are open by a DOS based system written in Clipper. One of the files got some corruption in it that looks like it came from a network or hard drive error. The vendor is saying that Crystal Reports accessing the file at the same time it was open by the DOS system could have caused the problem. Based on my understanding of how Crystal works this could not be the case. I'd be interested to know if anyone knows for a fact that running a report against a .dbf file opened by a DOS based system could cause file corruption.

Thanks.

 

[dgillz]

I agree with you, I do not see how this could happen. Software Sales, Training and Support for Macola, Crystal Reports and Goldmine
dgilsdorf@mchsi.com

 

[pelajhia]

Let me guess - the db vendor doesn't support the crystal reports part of this, right? THere should be some dbf reconstruction utilities available on the net. Has anyone attempted fixing the dbfs? You might experience some data loss, but possibly get back most of what you need, if you don't have backups.

 

[Pete56]

They have recovery utilities and have fixed the file. The issue is whether Crystal Reports which accesses a file read only could have caused this. I doubt it and was wondering if anyone had anything definitive to help support my case.

Thanks.

 

[synapsevampire]

Crystal is read only, though someone *could* use export (odbc) to create a new table, but it will not overwrite a file.

The vendor is probably just pointing at others to mask a problem.

It's DOS...that alone should make you suspect of their troublshooting skills.

-k

http://www.informeddatadecisions.com

kai@informeddatadecisions.com

 

[pelajhia]

I totally concur with synapsevampire - the processing of the data is more than likely where there is a problem - that's where you're actually hitting the db, unless you're doing some very unusual things with CR.

(this system sounds so familiar it's scary! This isn't a restaurant system, is it?)