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Missing database !!!

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    Missing database !!!

    HELP...

    So, I have a database that contains 2 separate applications over the same files. Nightly, with the help of WINDOWS SCHEDULER, app#2 starts up, extracts a file, and FTP's to a site. Like I said, been running fine for well over a year.

    Last weekend, the app#2 did not load the data and FTP'd only an empty file.

    App#1 is the daily app that all of the users use for data entry, reporting, etc.

    Both applications still exist however, all of the files, operations, forms for app#2 are missing. The scripts associated with app#2 still seem to be there.

    I have verified that the physical files, operations, forms still exist. (Whew !)

    I can probably rebuild tonight but, this is not the first time something like this has happened, and in a completely different customer.

    What could has possibly have happened ? Has this happened to anyone else - ever ?

    I need any ideas the Alpha Community may have to fix this one - I think !

    Thanks,

    lar

    #2
    Re: Missing database !!!

    Larry, I've read your post several times and feel your pain. However, I'm confused about what happened, and what was lost.

    It might help if you speak to each app separately.

    For App#1 are the dbf, cdx, and fpt files present? Are they functioning correctly or are these files essentially empty? How about the DDM, DDX, and DDD files for each table? Are the forms, reports and labels for each table present? how about the SET, SEM and SEX files for each set? Are they present? Are the set based forms, reports and labels present?

    for App#2... try answering the same questions.

    You might try telling us more about the overnight process. what, exactly, does "extracts a file" mean?

    Finally, if you've had this happen before what seemed to be the cause and what was your fix the last time?

    -- tom

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Missing database !!!

      I keep spare database files and exported scripts in another directory in case this occurs.

      Keep them up to date with the changes you make and copy them back if the database container gets corrupted.
      Al Buchholz
      Bookwood Systems, LTD
      Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

      Occam's Razor - KISS
      Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
      Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
      When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
      "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
      Albert Einstein

      http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Missing database !!!

        Tom,

        Thanks for the reply.

        It might help if you speak to each app separately.

        For App#1...
        are the dbf, cdx, and fpt files present? YES
        Are they functioning correctly or are these files essentially empty? Functioning just fine
        How about the DDM, DDX, and DDD files for each table? App#1 seems to be unaffected.
        Are the forms, reports and labels for each table present? how about the SET, SEM and SEX files for each set? Are they present? Are the set based forms, reports and labels present? Again, App#1 seems to be unaffected.

        For App#2...
        are the dbf, cdx, and fpt files present? NO
        Are they functioning correctly or are these files essentially empty? NO tables appear on the Control panel
        How about the DDM, DDX, and DDD files for each table? App#1 seems to be unaffected. Same
        Are the forms, reports and labels for each table present? how about the SET, SEM and SEX files for each set? NO set based forms, reports and labels present?
        Pretty much everything for App#2 is missing.
        I'll attached a few screen shots and reply.

        You might try telling us more about the overnight process. what, exactly, does "extracts a file" mean? The client's database manages a membership application. Members are maintenance daily. At the end of the day, Nationwide wants an upload of clients that meet certain criteria, in an ASCII file.

        Finally, if you've had this happen before what seemed to be the cause and what was your fix the last time? As I said previously, App#1 seems to be unaffected. The script the extracts the .DBF files and reformats to a .CSV file, seem to be there. If I open App#2 \ Extract_Script, the script seems to be in tact i.e. I see the OPERATIONS that are called to extract the data and export to .CSV. HOWEVER, NONE of the OPERATIONS show in App#2 \ Scripts on the Control Panel.

        -- lar

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Missing database !!!

          Larry, that helps.

          1) Please show us ( or attach ) the Extract_script.

          2) I am assuming that when this is working all the files are located in a single folder (directory), right?

          3) the operations that are called by your Extract_script script are based on different tables than your users maintain in App#1, right?

          4) in app#2, if you select the tables/sets tab of the control panel, and right click white space, can you "add" the missing tables back to your application?

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Missing database !!!

            Tom,

            See if this makes any sense. The WVFARMdb seems to be OK, except the scripts are all missing. ??? The RAMPARTdb is the apprication that lost everything... except for the scripts. ???

            Lar
            Attached Files

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Missing database !!!

              Tom,

              1) Please show us ( or attach ) the Extract_script. Missing
              2) I am assuming that when this is working all the files are located in a single folder (directory), right? Correct
              3) the operations that are called by your Extract_script script are based on different tables than your users maintain in App#1, right? Incorrect.
              4) in app#2, if you select the tables/sets tab of the control panel, and right click white space, can you "add" the missing tables back to your application?

              Haven't tried. Will try in a few.

              lar

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Missing database !!!

                I thought the extract_script was part of app#2. You said the scripts for App#2 are still there. Color me confused.

                BTW, filename extensions are being suppressed in Windows Explorer for filetypes that have been registered. I recommend you show filename extensions... don't suppress them.

                Larry, is it possible a system wide backup sequence was running at the same time your extract_script fired up?

                -- tom

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Missing database !!!

                  Tom, You think you're confused ? There are several operations that run within App#2. I consolidated the flow into a script. It has been running without error for 1-2 years - daily. All this happened Saturday 8/2/2014. Checked with the client. They claim no anomoles in the last few weeks. Hmmm...

                  lar

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Missing database !!!

                    Larry,

                    it sure sounds like something changed on the client's system. Did they have a failure, and then did they do a restore from their backup?

                    Did they change the schedule or sequence for their internal backups?

                    did they change the schedule or sequence for their malware scans?

                    If you supply sample data and the missing script perhaps we can spot something in the code that might account for it, but since it was running correctly for a long time, that's unlikely. A simple hardware failure might be all that happened. A failing disk drive. A faulty network interface card. A kink in the ethernet cable. Something changed. They need to help you identify what that might be. I had a case once where problem occurred after the client moved furniture. Turns out they put the leg of an office desk on top of the network cable.

                    -- tom

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Missing database !!!

                      Yeah... Roger the Furniture Move ! Been there ! I'll check with them this week but I'll try to reconstruct tonight. Darndest thing. This happened to them once before - 2 or 3 years. Lost all the forms associated with the control file (CONST.DBF) and we all know that's not good.

                      If any new evidence emerges, I'll update the post. Till then, I really appreciate the extra set(s) of eyes !

                      lar

                      Comment

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