Unrecognized Database Format

[ladybug via AccessMonster.com]

I am receiving an error "Unrecognized Database Format (the name of my back
end file)"

Earlier I was updating data in a table. I started receiving errors so I
closed the database. Now when I go in and start to use the front end or try
to access the back end I receive this error. I cannot access any tables in
the back end. I tried to do a repair, but it froze in the middle and the
error still appears. Does anyone know how to resolve this? I am in serious
need for assistance. If unable to fix I am about to lose 3 months worth of
data.

 

[Guest]

For starters, you could try opening a new, blank Access DB and importing the
objects (File -> Get External Data -> Import -> select your old backend DB,
then select forms, tables, etc.) into that to see how much of it you can
retrieve. This might at least save some/much/all of the information.

Otherwise, something may be corrupt, and it may be time to dig out last
night's backup tape...

There may be other tools available for retrieving/repairing corrupted files.

 

[Guest]

Your back end is seriously corrupted.
3 months since you did a backup <> good
you might try creating a new mdb and importing the tables from the bad
database.

 

[Baz]

I am receiving an error "Unrecognized Database Format (the name of my back
end file)"

Earlier I was updating data in a table. I started receiving errors so I
closed the database. Now when I go in and start to use the front end or try
to access the back end I receive this error. I cannot access any tables in
the back end. I tried to do a repair, but it froze in the middle and the
error still appears. Does anyone know how to resolve this? I am in serious
need for assistance. If unable to fix I am about to lose 3 months worth of
data.

I think your database is lost. However, you could try the following:

1. Create a new, empty database and try to import all of the tables from
the corrupt database.
2. Go to www.microsoft.com, and search for/download the tool called
"jetcomp", and see if that will fix it
3. Ask these people to help: http://www.pksolutions.com (it will not be
cheap!)

Before you do ANYTHING else, take a copy of your corrupt file, in case your
attempts to fix it make it worse.

If none of the above works (or is affordable), then your database is lost,
and you have learned a valuable lesson about taking frequent backups
(several times a day is not unreasonable if the data is important).