Answereddbf file in dbase

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unormands36
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2016/10/23 14:56:47 (permalink)

dbf file in dbase

 
I have Dbase PLUS 10, it is quite old, but before today it worked reliable, but several days ago at opening .dbf file I got: Not a valid dBASE table. I need to repair dbf, any suggestions...
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    BobF
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/23 15:57:37 (permalink)
    I would check the dBase Plus 10 newsgroup
     
    http://news.dbase.com/newsgroups.php

    Bob  --
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    TheSteven
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/23 23:07:03 (permalink)
    Sounds like the header got corrupted or the file got truncated.
    If it's header corruption you might be able to repair the file or at least extract some of the data.
     
    #1 rule on fixing DBF files - always run fix on a copy.
    Running a repair or fix on your only copy may make it unsalvageable.
     
    Years back there used to be a lot of DBF repairs tools available, but few were free.
    A google search should turn up a number of them.
    Here's 2 I came across, they both have free trials - don't know what the limitations of the trial versions are:
    http://www.dbase.fixdbffile.com/ 
     
    http://www.dbfrepairtools.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwv7HABRCSxfrjkJPnrWgSJAA45qA2Jaflgq9698OGdovvT3p3qJSqkmlBvSzby-x_q-7JchoCVUDw_wcB
     

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    TheSteven
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/23 23:17:32 (permalink)
    More info:
    DBFs are essentially text files - depending on what you need to get out of the database you might be able to open file in a text editor or hex editor and locate what you need.
     
    If you're going to try this, try it on a copy. If you accidentally save the file in the text editor you may end up corrupting it further.
     
    BTW Note fields are not saved in the DBF but in linked DBT or other file.
    The order of the notes does not match the order of the records in the DBF. 
     

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    BobF
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/24 17:35:07 (permalink)
    I remember moving to Clipper back in the mid 80s.

    Bob  --
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    tomixornot
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/25 15:09:00 (permalink)
    Yes, repair a copy, not the original.
     
    If memory serves, FoxPro (for DOS) seems to be more forgiven in opening invalid DBF. If you can get hold of FoxPro, open it (the copy) and run a "pack" command usually solves the problem.

    Albert


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    unormands36
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/25 15:10:36 (permalink)
    Wow, a lot of tips, many thanks for articles and solutions, I'm sure one of these suggestions must assist.
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    Kev999
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/25 16:35:33 (permalink)
    MS Excel can import/export .dbf files too.

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    TheSteven
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/25 16:59:36 (permalink)
    Kev999
    MS Excel can import/export .dbf files too.



    Open/import maybe - export, not really.
    Don't open a DBF in Excel and then save it..
    Excel bases field size on the spreadsheet column width, minimum width being the field name which maxes at 11 characters.
    So you can instantly loose a lot of data and end up with all character fields. 
    Plus there are multiple versions of and flavors of DBFs, I think Excel saves them as dBase v3.1.
     

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    tomixornot
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/25 20:07:33 (permalink)
    Worth trying also by setting up ODBC connection to the DBF file as the support is built right into Windows. Maybe at least you can read the data from the DBF file, if there is no error connecting it.

    Albert


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    patm300e
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/26 07:53:24 (permalink)
    After Googling the issue, I have the following thoughts...
    First to parrot other suggestions, ALWAYS WORK USING A COPY OF THE FILE!
     
    There was a utility with Clipper called DBU (DBU.exe) that would open DBF files and you could see the structure.  It was pretty easy to use.  Not sure where you would get that today...
     
    Step 1.  Make Copy!
    Step 2.   Try DBU.exe, or any/all of the things above...
     
    Also try this, open a copy of a working DBF in a hex editor.
    Then open a copy of the bad DBF in the same hex editor.
     
    Compare the information in the first few lines...  I typically don't hex edit files, but this may be the way you need to fix this issue.
     
    You can use these as a guide:
    http://www.dbf2002.com/dbf-file-format.html
    http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/formats/fdd/fdd000325.shtml
     
    Look at this:
    http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/625451/not-a-valid-dbase-table/
     
    Here is .NET code to directly read dbf file into data table...If you are into programming...
    http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/24247/Load-a-DBF-into-a-DataTable
    http://dbasereader.codeplex.com/
     
    Do not know how reputable these are but:
    https://dbf.recoverytoolbox.com/
     
    https://www.repairtoolbox.com/dbfrepair.html
     
     
    Hope this in some small way helps...I have been there :(
     

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    #11
    unormands36
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/26 11:22:12 (permalink)
     how many methods to get back dbf file, a lot of thanks.
    #12
    hipplas93
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/10/31 16:04:15 (permalink) ☼ Best Answerby unormands36 2016/11/07 13:26:59
    unormands36
     
    I have Dbase PLUS 10, it is quite old, but before today it worked reliable, but several days ago at opening .dbf file I got: Not a valid dBASE table. I need to repair dbf, any suggestions...




    It is very old-fashioned program dude, but several years ago, I had similar trouble.
     
    Not many methods can solve this error.
     
    But there is an instrument like DBF files Online repair service, it was created for fastest and reliable restoration of .dbf files, for me it is the most effective.
    #13
    unormands36
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    Re: dbf file in dbase 2016/11/07 13:27:38 (permalink)
    Dude, you got me great solution, I am very appreciated to you!
    #14
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