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ACT 2006 suspect database - problem repairing it

I have an ACT 2006 database problem identifed by ACT's act8diag. In the diag, the database shows up as "suspect". I followed repair instructions on ACT's knowledgebase and when I get to the step where it says to copy the .ADF and .ALF files to another folder, the .ADF file wil copy. The .ALF file wont. I get an error telling me that access is denied. the error window tells me that the disk is either full (it's not - 14G free) o rthe file is in use (ACT2006 is not running). I followed the instructions very carefully - I did stop the MSSQL$ACT7 service. I am able to create and access a new database with no trouble. I'm looking for either a solution to the .ALF access denied issue or any alternate ideas on repairing the suspect database.

thanks.

Link to knowledgebase article:
http://kb.sagesoftwareonline.com/cgi-bin/sagesoftwareonline.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=17715&p_sid=AFN7XGHi&p_lva=14568&p_accessibility=0&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjYwJnBfcHJvZHM9MTY4MCwxNjgyLDE3MzkmcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PTMuMTczOSZwX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9dGhlIGRhdGFiYXNlIGNvdWxkIG5vdCBiZSBhY2Nlc3NlZA%2A%2A&site_ID=1&p_li=#

Mike Lazarus

When you stop the SQL service, start ACT8Diag and Detach the database.
Then make a copy of the database (just to be safe)
Delete the PAD file
Open ACT! and open the ADF file

Let me know if there is a problm at any stage of this

cwagner2401

ASKER

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it but, ACT8diag won't run unless SQL is started

Mike Lazarus

Sorry, try the other way around... detach first then stop SQL

cwagner2401

ASKER

So, when I try it with SQL running, "detach" for that database isn't an option. It's grayed-out.

Mike Lazarus

Ok, that means the connection to SQL is damagaed.
When you stop SQL, move the ADF and then reboot... the database should then be no-longer listed.
Delete the PAD file
Then put the ADF back and open it

cwagner2401

ASKER

Still NG. after trying the procedure you suggested, I try to open the ADF and I still get "The database could not be accessed. In order to access this database, check your network connection and verify that your database server is still available. It may be necessary to disable any firewall sorftware running"

Fluid_Imagery

I'm having the exact same issue.

Maybe between the two of us we'll get an answer

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22729824/ACT-Version-8-Get-the-database-could-not-be-accessed-when-trying-to-open-on-a-new-machine.html

cwagner2401

ASKER

Yeah, I've been pretty frustrated with the ACT knowledgebase - nothing works and the ACT folks require you to have a $300 service contract with them just to answer questions. They charge more $$ if they have to repair your database. I'm hoping someone here at experts exchange has the answer.

I did restore form a backup but it's a month old so, I lost a bunch of stuff.

Fluid_Imagery

yup, tried the same thing... such BS... options are.. pay $200 for 5 calls... pay $300 for unlimiited... or pay $50 + $5/min.

Hoping something will pull through.

What created the error?

SStroz

cwagner2401,

Where are you with this problem? A reboot should have fixed the problem in your original post - releasing the lock on the file - then you should have been able to continue with the KB instructions.

Fluid - when moving a database you should "backup" and the "restore as".

When you guys find a vendor offering free tech support let me know...

Steve

Mike Lazarus

Re: cwagner2401
I was wondering if you might have had the volume where the ACT! database run out of space?
I have seen a similar issue where the database could not be detached after thea disk error or a disk full error.
Stopping the SQL service (ACT7), moving the ADF file to another location, rebooting, should unlist it
Then opening the ADF (instead of the PAD) file should reconnect it
If you get the "cannot be accessed" error, check Knowledge Base Article ID 19640

Fluid_Imagery

I fixed my problem last night. For whatever reason the database file that was on the local machine was about 100kb smaller than the replicated file that was on the server I backed up. I took the file off the server instead of the local box and walla.

cwagner2401

ASKER

thanks GL. on the sage site I couldn't find article # 19640

cwagner2401

ASKER

Sorry GL. I did find the article. this is the first procedure I started with that failed when I wrote my initial request for help. Come full circle ;)

Mike Lazarus

Fluid Imagery - "relicated" are you trying to sync?

cwagner2401 - try http://kb.sagesoftwareonline.com/cgi-bin/sagesoftwareonline.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=19640&p_created=1160838337&p_sid=cTU-*ZHi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MjcxJnBfcHJvZHM9MzUzMCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9MS4zNTMwJnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1kYXRhYmFzZSBjb3VsZCBub3QgYmUgYWNjZXNzZWQ*&site_ID=1&p_li=&p_topview=1

Mike Lazarus

cwagner2401 - what's the current status?

cwagner2401

ASKER

GL - I did find the article. this is the first procedure I started with that failed when I wrote my initial request for help. Come full circle ;)

I'm in the same place where I started - square one.

Mike Lazarus

Ok... let's get back to basics... what have you tried from the KB article?

When there is a KB for a specific error, it's important that you have the EXACT wording of the error as there are similar errors that have different fixes. But if you have the right error, you need to follow each step in the KB (especially one like this with multiple possibilities).... the KBs are nearly always correct

Don't skip a step... you might skip the one that fixes it and make it more confusing to resolve.

SStroz

cwagner2401,

So you're saying you still can't move the database files after rebooting your server and stopping the MS$ACT7 SQL Service?

Let us know

Steve

metsfan421

Can Someone help with a similar issue I am having? I am trying to open just an .ADF file as my computer crashed but i was able to get the .ADF files off the HD before formatting. I now have the .ADF files with the data in them, reloaded ACT and it gives me this error when I try to open either .ADF file:

Device Activation Error the physical file "blahblah.alf" may be incorrect.

Any suggestions? I need to get these db's open asap!

cwagner2401

ASKER

SStroz - so, I stopped SQL, moved the ADF and then rebooted.
Deleted the PAD file
Then put the ADF back and tried to open it. Still got the same error.

Mike Lazarus

cwagner2401

It is likely that you have corrupted the datafile and will need to either use a backup or have it repaired.

SStroz

cwagner2401,

Although rare, sadly these database files can become corrupt. You're doing everything right and by the book but unfortunately you'll have to send it in for repair or revert to your backup.

Steve

cwagner2401

ASKER

Thanks to all for your input. it looks like I've lost that database.
fortunately I have a month-old back up so I lost some importantt stuff but I didn't lose everything.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Mike Lazarus

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SStroz

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cwagner2401

ASKER

GL and Steve
Thanks for trying to help

Carl

Eric

Im having the same issue. Its a remote database... i can re-create the remote db. restore it, and it works until you reboot. Then the error returns. even after a manual uninstall and reinstall of act.

Act support wont help me if i give them 10000. they just refuse to even talk to anyone with a product older than 3years. We have about 50 licenses of the workgroup version. We will not ever upgrade this garbage. CRM shopping I am.

Mike Lazarus

ecszon... if you open a new question here, I'll have a look at it for you