Tips to prevent Access Database Corruption

If you are an MS Access user, you must be aware of the frustration caused by corrupt Access database. But with little proficiency of preventing Access database, you can repair access database or at least recover the corrupt data. Usually, we switch to third-party products that specialize in repairing and recovering data from corrupt database. However, there are several preventive measures that you can take to keep your Access database safe from corruption issues. Mentioned below are some practical tips that will help you in avoiding such corruption issues:

Split Access MDB database: If the database is accessed by multiple users then, split the database into two parts where you will have a backend comprising of data in tables and another front-end part comprising of the rest of the data (anything like forms and reports). There is this wizard in MS Access that helps the user to get through the process so there is no excuse not to split a shared database. Name the two ends aptly. Also, this setup makes enhancements easier to be incorporated into your system. If you want to store the front end on the network server or on a local drive, then it is important to know that this will have no impact on corruption. Consider write-protecting the shared front-end so that in case of corruptions, you can obtain a fresh copy of it to replace the broken one and reboot local system.

Save temporary tables in a backend: If the database creates, populates and deletes temporary tables then keep these tables in a different backend database to prevent inflation. Now name this backend accordingly and this additional backend can be shared locally as per requirement.

Be careful with Wireless Networks (WiFi): The connection might be ok, but multiple users at once can limit the connection. But obviously, this can corrupt the database open at the time.

Avoid using memo fields: Use of memo fields should be avoided as these cause corruption indirectly. Although, the database can be repaired but still some content in the memo fields might be lost. If you need to have memo fields then keep them in separate tables and create a one-to-one relationship to the parent table(s). The best way will be to move memo tables in a different backend database file and name it indicating towards its original purpose.

Create temporary tables to accelerate queries: If you are running complex queries, then Access may write several temporary data that you never see. Often this happens when a query working with small amount of data works slowly and poses stress on JET engine. If at this point of time, Access gets freezed, you may end up with corrupt backend file. In order to prevent this issue, write some temporary data to temporary tables. Although, there is no universal method to recommend but analyze the specifics and run some tests to ensure the best solutions.

Avoid storing image files: Usually, we do not store image files in a database, but if in case you must, then treat them the same way you store a memo field. Access doesn’t pose any problem related to tables from various backend databases.

Be cautious with WAN connections: WAN connection covering any connection from local system to server via Internet can result in trouble. Reading the database might be slow but acceptable. However, writing to database is error prone and can result in corruption. This behavior often leaves the backend database corrupt.

Avoid putting Mac and Windows users on same network: Establish separate network for database for Macs and Windows users. Macs are quite heavy and the typical applications generate voluminous traffic when moving large graphic files and printing. Therefore it is suggested to keep the database traffic separate from graphics traffic. This can be achieved by allowing administrative workstations to connect directly to the server with shared database through a local switch.

Troubleshoot network hardware: If you are facing regular corruption issues, then you might have to deal with network hardware issues. To avoid it, try to narrow down the workstation and switch the error-prone station with another. If the issue is persists with the workstation, you can figure out the source of the issue. But, if the problem isn’t specific to the workstation, the error can be a result of connection from the workstation to the network switch with the actual switch port.

Check Server configuration: At times, the configuration you stored for the shared backend database file is the source. This can tracked down only with the help of a professional, who will resolve this type of problem. There are possibilities from server parameters to malfunctioning disc controller to a wrong-configured RAID array.

With the tips given above, you can prevent your Access MDB database by using access recovery software from getting corrupted and prepare a sound environment for your MDB database files.

Comments are closed.