objects regularly, an MDB file doesn't get smaller as the objects are not really deleted but temporarily moved. An overgrown MDB file can hamper the performance of MS Access application. Additionally, an oversized it involves the risk of getting corrupt. Apart from growth in size issue, file can become corrupt in many instances, rendering data inaccessible. In order to recover data from a corrupt MDB file, you may need to look for a clean and updated backup copy. However, in absence of a backup, you must try considering an MDB repair software.
Why MDB files fall prey to corruption
A file can become corrupt in the following three situations:
Interrupted write operation
Always keep in mind to properly quit Access by pressing either Exit or Close on the File menu. If you abruptly shut down the Access application when the database is open and writing data, the possibilities are that the Jet database engine may mark the database as suspect or corrupt. Jet may mark the database corrupt in other situations like disk drives malfunction, power fluctuations, network experiences data collisions etc.
What happens during a write operation is that as Jet begins a write operation, it sets a flag, and removes the flag when the operation is complete. In case of interruption, the flag remains set. And, when you try to open the database again, Jet database engine notices the flag is set, and reports that the database is corrupt.
Faulty networking hardware
If the computer where a particular database is residing on or a machine where the database is open has faulty hardware, then chances of this file corruption are quite higher. In such situations, you cannot repair MDB file by the use of compacting, repairing or Jetcomp. The corruption will resurface until you fix the faulty hardware components.
Opening and saving MDB file in another program
In no possible way, you can recover an file which was opened and saved in a different application like MS Word or Excel file. If you do open, then the file will become corrupt and you will notice a seemingly random series of characters.
How can you prevent corruption in MDB files
In order to keep the same file in good health and to avoid MDB repair headache, you must observe the following measures:
Avoid losing power or dropping network connections when a database performs write function
During programming, close all DAO, ADO objects which you have opened
Compact the database often
Avoid large number of consecutive open and close operations
If you ever come across a corruption issue, you can refer to the various steps provided by the Microsoft to repair MDB files.
By Eric Justice
