Yes, but it isn’t always easy - and you may lose some data. Several techniques and tools are available to assist you in your quest to restore a corrupt Access database.

If you can’t open a corrupt database, you’ll know it. You will receive error messages such as:

• Unrecognized database format
• The Microsoft Jet Engine could not open the file
• Enter database password

Databases can grow to huge sizes making them susceptible to file corruption. In addition, multiple users accessing the database simultaneously place further demands on it. A single computer crashing during database operations could cause file corruption.

Before attempting any repairs, backup your corrupt database. I know that this sounds silly but bear with me. File corruption can get worse as you try different repair techniques. If all else fails and you must use a recovery service, you’ll at least have a less corrupt version of the corrupt file. After making a backup copy, rename it so that you know it’s a corrupt copy of the file.

Microsoft Access comes with a Compact and Repair utility designed to remove extra space within the database and repair its primary objects. The compact process creates a new database destination and then copies each object into the new database. Compacting a database is similar to defragging a hard drive in that it reorganizes fragmented data and increases performance. The repair process attempts to repair tables, queries, and indexes (but not forms, reports, modules, or macros).

First, close the current database if open and then go to the Tools menu. Click on Database Utilities and then click Compact and Repair Database. You’ll be prompted to specify the database for repairs. Locate the database and then select Repair. When prompted, create a fresh database from the recovered file.

If this option doesn’t work, you can try creating a new, blank database and importing the objects individually. Once imported, you will need to re-establish all relationships. This technique solves problems when your database has damaged system tables.

Another option to consider is downloading the JetComp.exe utility from Microsoft. This tool is helpful when the built-in utilities don’t work. For example, if you can’t open a corrupt database, built-in compacting tools won’t work because they first attempt to open and close a database as part of the process. When the database won’t open, the utility stops. The JetComp.exe utility doesn’t attempt opening and closing during its repair and compaction process.

There are numerous options available for attempting to open a corrupt Access database. If you have a clean backup of your database, that’s your best bet. But many users don’t regularly backup their data. If all else fails, you may be able to recover the file using data recovery software or a third party Access data recovery service.

Celeste Stewart | June 1st, 2008
Tags: corrupt access database, microsoft access
Categories: Microsoft Office

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