Database header corrupted: Error 15 / Not a table

[rwesiuc]

I have a customer that randomly gets corrupted databases or Error 15 / Not a table/dbf. This time, after a fix, another database became corrupt. Another fix, and I am back where I started, a day later, and the original file corrupted again. When I look at the header of the file in hexedit, I see that the fields were blown away, and was replaced with something like "Client UrlCache MMF Ver. 5.2" with some of those wonderful square boxes sprinkled in.

After I fixed the original file, I rebuilt all of the data structures and dbc and appended all the records and replaced the original files with rebuilt dbs and dbcs. So one would think that I was starting with fresh tables and a db container and all would be well. Remarkablly, the same "Client UrlCache MMF Ver. 5.2" appeared again in the same file, of course with the fields again blown away at the end of the day.

I have looked at Recover, and it does not think that the file is a table, why would it, there are no fields. I am pretty sure that this is not a record count problem in the header, but more of a corruption caused by some spyware / virus / network problem.

Any suggestions?

Bob Ethridge

 

[Mike Lewis]

Bob,

I'd put my money on spyware. Client UrlCache MMF is a string that has something to do with the browser cache. I've heard of it appearing in cookies, and could well have been deposited by spyware.

You could ask your user to try an anti-spyware scan. Also, take a look at

http://www.fsm.nl/ward/spiderus.html

for a bit of background (I don't really understand the technical details, but no doubt you will.)

Mike



__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

My sites:
Visual FoxPro (www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk)
Crystal Reports (www.ml-crystal.com)

 

[rwesiuc]

Thanks Mike,

Unfortunately, their IT department will not allow any programs to be loaded on their client machines. I'm pretty sure that it is spyware, so thanks for your reply.

For anyone else reading this, if you have clients that have internet access (99%), or yourself, spyware is the new nightmare to systems. They are virus like applications and tracking cookies that are roaming free on the internet just waiting for someone to mistype an address, or explore affected sites. I have been using Ad-Aware and SpyBot for removing cookies, tracking software, browser hijacks, etc. I recently started using Spyware Blaster recommended from SpyBot which essentially blocks most from even being loaded by taking out some ActiveX components.

I have had several customers complain of data corruption, possibly as a result of networks timing out or file attacks. They have used MacAfee, Microsoft, and other "Pay" programs. These three that I mentioned are free, and are always updating their definitions. When you use Ad-Aware and SpyBot back to back they seem to work very well. The others seem to have caused more problems than their worth because, for one, they really pull down the performance of the system, and two, they don't seem to get all the spyware out. Now with Spyware Blaster, I seem to have less frequent occurrences of spyware being loaded at all.

Bob

 

[rgbean]

Bob,
Another Spyware checker is by Microsoft (actually they bought it and improved it!). You get get for free at

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&DisplayLang=en.

Rick

 

[TamarGranor]

Just thought I should point out that the spyware detectors (like Ad-Aware and Spybot, both of which I use) find a different class of problem than the anti-virus programs like MacAfee and NAV. Every computer that ever accesses the Internet needs both.

Tamar

 

[Eguy]

Bob,

I did a Google search for "Client UrlCache MMF Ver. 5.2" and got a ton of hits for porn sites. Sounds like your client needs to establish/update an "Acceptable Use Policy".

My $0.02
Ed


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