Seaborne Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 8.0v1 file bombed during field definition update and the entire Table was corrupted. File opens, but every field says "Table Missing". Field definitions not there either, but within the field definitions box says there are 16,000+ records. Conventional Recovery didn't work. Can't export records because there are no corresponding source fields. Importing from backup file does not restore missing records. Is there a way to do a wholesale import of the missing Table or am I just missing something, exposing my obvious lack of technical skill? I really need those missing records (around 130) since the last backup. Is there any hope of recovering them? Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHunter3 Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 This file is hosed. You may be able to import FROM it if you desperately need to get DATA out of it but the STRUCTURE is totally gone and should never be used, even if mirabile dictu you look at it tomorrow morning and all of a sudden it looks OK. Treat this file as a condemned building, ruled unsafe for habitation. EDIT on reread: So it IS the data that you desperately need. Hmm.. a) When you say the "field says 'table missing', what do you mean "the field says"? Do you possibly mean "on the layout"? If so, whehn you open Define Database is the TABLE ITSELF still defined? b) Can you export even if the fields are not showing up with field names? Alternatively can you import from a brand new database, creating a new table, from the table that shows no field names? If you can do that, the fields will MOST PROBABLY get extruded in creation order, or more formally in order of underlying FIELD ID which is basically the same thing. If you can do this you can then to go your clone to get the creation order of fields in order to name your fields in the temporary file, and then import from THERE into the clone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Thanks for your reply. Every visible fields contents are , whether in Layout or Browse (I view as list) Mode. Table name appears in original damaged file (recovered versions say ) 0 fields defined and 16161 records. I don't know how to import or export data without a corresponding field to exchange with. I have created a related table and have been able to import into that, but it does not recover the missing data as I cannot define a relationship with a table that has no definitions. I can possibly reassign definitions from for every field, but I have around 100 layouts over 1000 fields and over 16000 records in this file. A herculean task that might not work. I am looking for either an easier way or one that has a very good probability of working for the effort put in. Thanks again for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Also: There is no option to either "Export Records" or "Save/Send Records As". When trying to import into a backup or clone version the message is: "No fields are defined in the data source" There's got to be a way to get the data. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHunter3 Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 OK, how large is your file in MB? Are ALL of your tables like that or just one table? if you want me to take a look at it, say so and we'll figure out the optimal way for you to transfer to the file over to me. (tiny = email, large = sendspace or rapidshare) It doesn't sound so good. FileMaker Inc themselves have more sophisticated scavenging tools but the turnaround time isn't lightning-fast and they dont' do it for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Consider this "the word", YES. The file is 27MB. I could compress and try e-mailing, though I am unsure how small it will get. I am open to other methods of transfer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norma_Snockurs Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 Just a longshot. Have you tried opening the files in FM Pro 9 Advanced and/or Windows XP? You can download the trial version if necessary. I've occasionally known corrupted files to be rendered more recoverable by opening on the opposite platform to which they were created or in a newer version of FileMaker. I offer no scientific basis for this. smiley-undecided YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Tried in FM8v1 for XP. Still . However, I was able to use original (damaged file) in Layout Mode, went to Layout Setup-Define Database to choose damaged table which did make 16161 records appeared albeit with in each field. For the first time the option to "save/send records as" became available. The first attempt (excel) only produced a form view like row of "table missing" fields. The second attempt (PDF-which I don't really know how I would be able to export data from) is still trying (beachball of death), which tends to make me think it not working. Unless I am mistaken the records are there. That's what I want. I have been avoiding the big re-definition. There are around 1200 fields to do. This could be very time-consuming and with no guarantees. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHunter3 Posted April 29, 2008 Share Posted April 29, 2008 How small did your file get, compressed? 27 MB isn't likely to turn into 3 MB so probably email is not the way to go. SendSpace RapidShare I'm sure there are other such services but I've used these two in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 29, 2008 Author Share Posted April 29, 2008 Right now I am up to having a clone with all of the records in it, but no data is showing up in the fields. Finds don't work either and there is a Table in the relationship graph that probably shouldn't be there? Any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHunter3 Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 If it's a clone, it would not have "all the records in it" :confused: ... unless you successfully imported, somehow? I can tell you it does not look good; as I said I'm willing to look at it. Can't make any promises. Hmm, speaking of clones, an (empty) clone from your backup, showing field names, would be of additional use if you're going to send the thing to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 Started with a clone of a recent backup file, which of course shows all the fields and layouts properly, then imported records from another file which was created by exporting records into a new file (send/save as filemaker file I think). I have been trying so many things, even I don't remember how I pulled that one off. The end result is a cloned copy that now contains all of the records, layouts, field defs, etc. Looks good by all accounts and theoretically should work but doesn't. "Finds" don't work, but in view by list (find all) there are in fact 16161 records showing up. I have come to the conclusion that perhaps these records don't actually contain any data, as with my previous unsuccessful export attempt into excel. I have been told it is not my decision to send this file out to a third party as it may contain sensitive information, but I can continue to accept suggestions. I am running out of time. Trying to recreate reality from the missing 123 records may take a week or longer. Redefining (recreating) 1200 fields in the damaged file (only to do a proper export) will take several days. I have until Friday to come up with a solution. Any further suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norma_Snockurs Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 Any further suggestions will be greatly appreciated. OK, so opening the file in Windows XP got you a little further if only slightly. Try to open a copy in FileMaker 9 Advanced (again download the trial if necessary). It could be worth trying both platforms too. FM 9 is better at dealing with compromised file integrity than previous versions. It may be worth a try, at this point it would seem you have little to lose by trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 I think some of my responses might have been ambiguous. Opening in XP did not advance my cause (and due to my less than expert knowledge) offered me less options than the Mac platform. Even then, I was only able to see the records (but not the data) on the Mac. Also I'm running Mac OS 10.3.9. So I don't think FM9 is an option. Do you have any take on the fact that I can see the records but not the data even though in the Define Database dialog box it clearly states the correct table, number of fields and records. "Find All" shows the correct number of records, but yet no data. What gives? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 I am trying a recovery on the file in question right now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 No good. Upon further examination, the name of he 1200 fields were there but the definitions said either or where the actual fild info was supposed to be. Isn't there any way just to import a table in FM8 and keep a flat file or perhaps create a relationship with another table for the express purpose of getting access to the records (and data) for export to a proper file? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaborne Posted April 30, 2008 Author Share Posted April 30, 2008 Hey Maarten are you out there? Do you have any suggestions? I'm getting desperate here.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norma_Snockurs Posted April 30, 2008 Share Posted April 30, 2008 ... I'm running Mac OS 10.3.9. So I don't think FM9 is an option. FM 9 runs just fine in XP SP2. I really think it's worth a try. Historically, FileMaker have improved the ability of the software to work with database corruption with every successive release. At the moment FileMaker 9 may well give you a better chance at accessing that elusive data but like I said in my first post - it's a long shot. It sounds like you have a fairly hosed file but that's no reason to write it off entirely yet - sometimes a bit of persistence pays off. Do you not know anyone running at least a G3 with 10.4.8 or later? EDIT: Do a search on 'recovery' at FileMaker's on-line knowledge base there's more information about file corruption there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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