User manual

Backing up and recovering files B-3
quit will occur when the file is between hard-drive updates. In this
situation, the next time the database is opened, FileMaker Pro runs a
consistency check on the file and the file typically opens without
problems. However, if the unexpected quit occurs during a hard
drive update, the file is likely to require recovery.
Keep these points in mind:
1 Because unexpected application termination is the most common
cause of database corruption, try to ensure that your operating system
is stable.
1 Make sure that you are running the most current and/or stable
version of .DLL files (Windows) and extensions and control panels
(Mac OS).
1 Run only the software that is absolutely necessary on your most
critical machines. Keeping your configurations simple reduces the
chance that some software may conflict, and makes it easier to
troubleshoot if there is a problem.
1 Use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) if your files are being
used in an area subject to power outages. The cost of a UPS might
equal the time involved in one file recovery.
1 Be conscious of file size. FileMaker Pro 5 has a maximum file size
of 2 gigabytes. Files that have exceeded that limit may be damaged
beyond repair, since key elements of the file structure may be
overwritten. If your file is approaching the file size limit, it is
strongly recommended that you archive some of the less frequently
used data and save a compressed copy of the file.
1 Consider all hard disk problems to be potentially serious. In cases
of multiple corrupted files on a hard drive, the hard drive itself may
be at fault. Check the hard drive with a disk utility program.
1 Software that optimizes, compresses, or partitions the hard drive
should be the most current version. Driver software must be
compatible with your version of the operating system.
Recovering damaged files
In the event that a file does become damaged, you may be able to use
the Recover feature of FileMaker Pro to salvage your file.
Important Because of the way the recover feature operates, do not
attempt to recover a damaged file with a third-party disk repair
utility. The use of a third-party disk repair utility may further damage
the file’s structure and make it impossible for the file to be recovered.
When to recover
In general, you should recover only files that will not open or are
displaying problems with finding and sorting.
Note There are many problems more common than corruption that
can result in incorrect finding or sorting, including mismatched field
types, incorrect criteria, and misunderstood foreign character set
standards. You should investigate these and other possibilities before
you recover a file.
Because the recovery process removes structures that may harbor
corruption, you should not use the Recover command for routine
maintenance. Each time you recover a file, examine the file carefully
to be sure that all objects are intact, as corrupt objects will be
removed.
To recover a file:
1. Make sure that you have enough space on your intended storage
media.
If there isn’t enough space, the recovered file will be unusable. A
recovered copy might be as big or bigger as the original file, so it is
important that there be adequate room on the media to which you are
saving the recovered file. As with saving compressed copies of files,
it is not a good idea to fill any storage media up to its maximum
capacity.
2. Close the damaged file if it is open.