PRB: "Not a Database File" Error Using a Database File

 Last reviewed: October 31, 1997
Article ID: Q87688

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, versions 3.0, 5.0
  • Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS, versions 2.0, 2.5, 2.5a
  • Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Macintosh, version 3.0b

SYMPTOMS

Attempting to open a database file in Microsoft FoxPro fails with either a "Not a database file" or a "Not a Table" error message.

CAUSE

The database file header has been corrupted.

RESOLUTION

Even though FoxPro includes no method to rebuild the damaged database header, several third-party database-recovery utilities are available. Some utilities are listed below.

MORE INFORMATION

For information about performing table maintenance using FoxPro low-level file functions, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q135905
   TITLE     : How to Retrieve Records that were Previously Zapped

   ARTICLE-ID: Q139758
   TITLE     : How to Modify the Table Header from FoxPro
The following list of database-recovery utilities is provided for your convenience. Products are listed in alphabetical order by product name. None of the products on the list is recommended over any other, nor over products not on the list. Please notify us of any additions, updates, or corrections to the list.

These utilities are supported by the third-party developers that wrote the utilities, not by Microsoft. The utilities on the list below have not been tested by Microsoft. The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability. 

   dSalvage
   Comtech Publishing, Limited
   P.O. Box 12340
   Reno, NV  89510
   Phone: (702) 825-9000

   DTools
   EL Software
   3809 Plaza Drive, #107-360
   Oceanside, CA  92056
   Phone: (619) 439-6617
   Fax:   (619) 439-9612

   HeadFix or QuickFix-2
   Hilco Software
   11266 Barnett Valley Road
   Sepastopol, CA  95472-9555
   Phone: (707) 829-5011
   Fax:   (707) 829-5710

   MemoPlus
   Rory Data International
   17 Thornburn Road
   North Potomac, MD 20878
   Phone: (301) 251-0497
   Fax:   (301) 258-6862

   Recover 2.0
   Abri Technologies
   HC 62, Box 100K
   Great Cacapon, WV  USA 25422
   Phone: (304) 947-7129
   Fax:   (304) 947-7628
   Web site: http:\\www.abri.com
   CompuServe: FoxForum/VFox libraries

Additional query words: data corrupt damaged salvage dbfix norton 3rd third
party list listing errmsg err msg not a table/dbf
Keywords : FxtoolGeneral kberrmsg
Version : Win:2.00 2.50 2.50a
Platform : MACINTOSH MS-DOS WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: October 31, 1997
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