Help

Maintaining and recovering FileMaker Pro databases
F
ILEMAKER PRO HELP 1209
A database you tried to open is reported
as damaged, and you want to try saving
a compacted copy of the file.
In the Advanced Recovery Options dialog box, select
Copy logical structure, but select none of the
checkboxes. This option performs the exact same
operation as saving a compacted copy of the database.
Because copying the logical structure does not scan the
field data or structure, there could still be problems with
the resulting file, so test that file carefully for signs of
problems. Also consider performing a full recovery; that is,
recover the file with Use advanced options deselected in
the “Name new recovered file” dialog box, to see if
problems are reported.
You suspect there may be problems
with your file, although the file is not
reported as damaged.
Start by doing a file consistency check, to check the low-
level block format of the file. (Click the Check
consistency button in the Select Damaged File dialog
box.)
If no problems are found, then recover the file with Use
advanced options in the “Name new recovered file”
dialog box deselected. If no problems are found while
scanning the schema and structure, you can assume that
the original file has no structural problems.
However, there is still a risk that the file contains corrupted
data or graphics. If database users report that going to a
particular layout or record causes their computer to hang
or FileMaker
Pro to crash, then data or graphics could be
corrupted. In that case, locate and delete the problem
layout or record. To do this:
1. In another layout, switch to Layout mode.
2. Scroll the window to the bottom of the screen or to
the right edge of the screen beyond the position
where objects would be visible on the damaged
layout.
3. Switch to the damaged layout. Because the
corrupted objects are off-screen, the computer
should not hang.
4. Delete this layout.
For more information, search the FileMaker Knowledge
Base available at
http://help.filemaker.com.
Problem Solution