How do I read a corrupted Access file?

[MediumRare]

Due to hardware problems, I'm fighting with some corrupted files (I've pretty well given up trying to read from the damaged hard drive).

One of these is an Access database which Access(XP) cannot open. The suggested fix is to create a new DB and import the tables and queries. However, this only results in the same error message when trying to import these structures.

I had a look at the file with a hex editor, and most of the information seems to be present. It's a bit hard to tell, because only strings (ASCII or UTF8/Unicode) stand out and information items such as date/time or running numbers aren't apparent.

Does anyone know about a recovery tool that can extract tables and queries from a damaged MDB file? I'm not worried about forms, reports or other stuff, just the data tables. Failing that, a description of the file format would allow me to try and "repair" it or build a Perl script to read this information selectively.

Thanks

G

[UALOneKPlus]

There are a few services and tools for doing this:

http://www.accessfix.com/


is one example.

I frequently back up my Access files to CD-R's just in case this happens.

[MediumRare]

There are a few services and tools for doing this:

http://www.accessfix.com/


is one example.

Thanks. I'll download the demo and see what it has to offer.

I frequently back up my Access files to CD-R's just in case this happens.

You're right of course and I'll do so in the future.

G

[MediumRare]

The demo of accessfix was worth downloading as reassurance that the data is still accessible, but I'm not going to pay 300 Euros for the full program.

I did what I should have done in the first place- use Google. In addition to AccessFix, I found a tip that allowed me to recover most of the tables (all the important ones ). Essentially it involves using Excel/MS-Query to access the DB, importing the tables one by one into a worksheet and then importing the data from Excel into a new Access-DB. This apparently avoids enough of the consistency tests to let you read the tables!

This is worth remembering!

G