How do you restore an access database?

[Guest]

I was testing with an access database on my desktop and copied the original
over by accident but I clicked cancel before the test copy was copied over.
When it cancelled, the test copy disappeared from desktop and I don't know
where it went. I did a system restore, I searched my computer and temp
files, recycle bin, etc. and can't find it anywhere? Does anyone know how I
could find this?

Thanks,

 

[Armen Stein]

I was testing with an access database on my desktop and copied the original
over by accident but I clicked cancel before the test copy was copied over.
When it cancelled, the test copy disappeared from desktop and I don't know
where it went. I did a system restore, I searched my computer and temp
files, recycle bin, etc. and can't find it anywhere? Does anyone know how I
could find this?

Thanks,

This is actually a Windows-related problem, not Access. I would
research "file undelete" utilities. Don't use your computer - any
activity decreases the chance that the deleted file will be recoverable.

 

[aaron.kempf]

I reccomend using MSDE and SQL Server Developers edition.. this will
allow you to setup an automated backup / archive of the database

Use of MDB in the year 2006 is comical.
there are better, faster, easier FREE solutions out there

 

[Guest]

That didn't help, I think it is gone for good. I've noticed it only does it
with .mdb files?

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

Don't use your computer - any
activity decreases the chance that the deleted file will be recoverable.

That's true of *ordinary* files. He already *did* a system restore *and*
overwrote part of the original Jet file. The most he can recover with
undelete utilities are pieces of a fragmented file that he'd have to use to
reconstruct the highly rigid Jet architecture. Unless he's got the tools to
do this or can hire someone who does, or he wants to use a hex editor to mend
the pieces together himself, restoring from backup is the only alternative.

 

[aaron.kempf]

Granny;

you got more info on piecing it together with a hex editor?
I would love to know more about that option

I see broken down MDB files all the time

-aaron

 

[Guest]

Your right, so I just started over and just now finished. I hope this is
something microsoft will fix.

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I reccomend using MSDE and SQL Server Developers edition.. this will
allow you to setup an automated backup / archive of the database

Use of MDB in the year 2006 is comical.
there are better, faster, easier FREE solutions out there

Or you could just set up an automated backup / archive of the Access
database.

 

[aaron.kempf]

yes.. I've been waiting 10 years for microsoft to 'fix' mdb files and
it's just not coming

Microsoft abandoned Access 10 years ago; they never took it seriously

-Aaron

 

[John Vinson]

I was testing with an access database on my desktop and copied the original
over by accident but I clicked cancel before the test copy was copied over.
When it cancelled, the test copy disappeared from desktop and I don't know
where it went. I did a system restore, I searched my computer and temp
files, recycle bin, etc. and can't find it anywhere? Does anyone know how I
could find this?

Thanks,

Get out your backups. The database that you wrote over is almost
certainly gone for good. Armen's suggestion of a data recovery service
is worth a try if a) you don't have a backup and b) you're feeling
VERY lucky; bring money.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

I hope this is
something microsoft will fix.

Don't get your hopes up. To fix it Windows would take more time to copy
files and overwrite existing files when using "Save" commands, and it would
cause more fragmentation on the disk, further slowing overall performance
until the next disk defrag.

Don't feel bad. I accidentally overwrote an MDB file the same way you did
and my previous backup was *only* 17 1/2 hours before. That was a long, long
day. So was the next one because I had to redo it all.

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

Granny Spitz wrote:
I don't know what the problem is but my posts aren't showing up on this
thread. Let me try one more time ...

aaron wrote:

you got more info on piecing it together with a hex editor?
I would love to know more about that option

I see broken down MDB files all the time
-aaron

It's really, really hard because Jet uses a very strict structure with lots
of data pointers that have to match up with exact locations in the file that
often seem to be cross referenced in multiple places. So even when you
replace a broken fragment or corrupted fragment with the hex values for the
correct data, you have to write the matching data pointers too, but you have
to know where to look for those so you can read those values. You don't want
to do this by hand if you can avoid it.

If the 4 KB data pages are intact in a corrupted MDB I use a recovery tool I
got from a web site that belongs to people who answer questions in this
newsgroup. It creates a new database and copies the records in the tables to
the new database. It's pretty primitive because it only recovers tables, not
the other objects in the file. I keep backups of my front ends so I don't
worry about recovering corrupted front ends. It doesn't recover memo fields
or OLE objects either, but I almost never use these data types in my Access
databases anyway. When compact/repair and JetComp couldn't fix and open 4
corrupted databases I was able to recover the data in the tables with this
tool. It beats expensive data recovery services.

 

[aaron.kempf]

automated backup of MDB?

what happens when someone leaves it open?

ROFL

what do you bounce all of your file servers once a night?

 

[Joseph Meehan]

automated backup of MDB?

what happens when someone leaves it open?

Apparently you have never heard of all the possible back up procedures
available on servers today.

A good backup system can save you from all kinds of problems including
many operator errors. Fortunately I had a great LAN support group.

 

[aaron.kempf]

I disagree with you.

I used to work for a software vendor that made backup software; I dont
think that it is possible to backup a MDB file without possible /
probably corruption.

I mean-- if someone HAS IT OPEN can it be backed up?

or is that the point of the LDB file?

I've just had backup / restore problems from MDB; especially when it is
'in use'

Has backup exec fixed this?

Is it completely bulletproof?

Can you do INCREMENTAL BACKUPS of a MDB?
Is it easy to SCHEDULE?

With SQL Server; SQL Agent makes it super simple to do this... and this
functionality is included with MSDE.

With MDB you're stuck with half-ass backup solutions; you can't backup
to tape.. you have to roll your own solution.

MDB is for babies and retards.. And reverting back to DAO isn't going
to make MDB more powerful or more mainstream.

-Aaron

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I disagree with you.

I used to work for a software vendor that made backup software; I dont
think that it is possible to backup a MDB file without possible /
probably corruption.

Maybe you don't think it is possible, but it worked for me. Our server
had a mirror image drive. That drive was usually within seconds of the
primary drive. From there we had a copy made several times during the day
and a end of day copy. The end of day copy was maintained for a week or
more. The end of week copies were copied to a monthly copy which was stored
sent to storage in a salt mine. Never once did those guys fail me or have
any problems provide a working copy of the MDB file I needed. I might add
that the most common need was due to some operator error (mine or a user)
not a mechanical or program problem.

 

[aaron.kempf]

mirror image??

are you talking raid or backups?

an operator error???
are you ****ing kidding me? you CANT BACK UP ACCESS DATABASES WHEN
SOMEONE HAS LEFT IT OPEN.

you can't version; you can't make changes- -it's just a crappy crappy
platform.

I for one; am sick and tired of bouncing a whole domain just to release
a new version; bouncing file servers and asking end users to bounce
their desktops??

ROFL


ROFL
ROFL
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