Unrecognized database format error after trying to compact & repai

[Guest]

I am in Access 2000 and was working with a database, which has worked fine
for quite some time. It got to about 1.5 GB and I decided to compact & repair
(didn't make a copy first which I now have learned). It wouldn't repair
because I got a message that said "Cannot find description". I tried to
re-open the file and is now says "Unrecognizable database format". I have
tried the following and nothing has worked:
--Deleted the .ldb file
--Tried to access via Excel database query
--Tried importing into a new database file

Thanks for any help!

 

[Randy]

I am in Access 2000 and was working with a database, which has worked fine
for quite some time. It got to about 1.5 GB and I decided to compact &
repair
(didn't make a copy first which I now have learned). It wouldn't repair
because I got a message that said "Cannot find description". I tried to
re-open the file and is now says "Unrecognizable database format". I have
tried the following and nothing has worked:
--Deleted the .ldb file
--Tried to access via Excel database query
--Tried importing into a new database file

Thanks for any help!

Usergn, an "Unrecognized database format 'databasename.mdb'" error means
that the binary-format of the file is not (or fully not) in MS Access
format. Make sure that you are using the same version of Access that the
database was created with. If it ever was a valid database, then the file
database format is corrupt. This is typically caused when the Jet database
engine was improperly or unexpectedly shut down during the process of
writing to disk.

Usually a repair by the user is not possible any more. You might try the
repair by using the JetComp.exe utility. If this fails then you should try a
data rescue service, who can usually repair the file, but there is always
the possibility that the database is damaged beyond repair. Please read the
Microsoft resolution about the issue at
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/209137/EN-US/

Ultimately it always a good idea to run regular backups, compact and repair
the database often, use a UPS (uninterruptible Power Supply or battery),
along with a industry-oriented operating system using a good file system
(like NTFS), and an OS that is hard to halt like Windows NT, 2000, and XP.
And of course never delete the ldb file, since it may be of use for the data
recovery service.

-Randy

 

[Guest]

Randy, Thanks for the info and tips! I realize I need to have a better file
maintenance and backup process in place going forward. Thankfully the
database didn't have too many unique tables.

 

[John Vinson]

I am in Access 2000 and was working with a database, which has worked fine
for quite some time. It got to about 1.5 GB and I decided to compact & repair
(didn't make a copy first which I now have learned). It wouldn't repair
because I got a message that said "Cannot find description". I tried to
re-open the file and is now says "Unrecognizable database format". I have
tried the following and nothing has worked:
--Deleted the .ldb file
--Tried to access via Excel database query
--Tried importing into a new database file

Thanks for any help!

In addition to Randy's excellent suggestions, try looking at the
Corruption FAQ:

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/corruptmdbs.htm


John W. Vinson[MVP]
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