[Solved] - odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

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Jgrady
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[Solved] - odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Jgrady »

Hi,
I have a Base file, .odb, that I've been putting data into for 4 years. Today Base crashed and now it cannot open the file. I do have a backup from May, but I've put in quite a lot of data since then and would hate to lose it. Can anyone out there take a look and possibly repair the file?
{Note I cannot upload the file here as it's too big (1,621,814 bytes). So I'd have to transfer it another way.}

Thanks,
John
Last edited by RoryOF on Wed Jun 28, 2017 7:13 am, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: Added green tick. [RoryOF, Moderator]
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Sliderule
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Sliderule »

I would be willing to look at it . . . and . . . attempt to repair it. I am assuming, since you did not say, that you are using an Embedded database and if so . . . assuming at a minimum the internal script file is present ( not corrupted ) . . . and . . . the data and / or backup file is present . . . it can be recovered.

Please load the file to a site like: https://www.mediafire.com/ or any other place I can get at the file.

Sliderule
Jgrady
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Jgrady »

Sliderule wrote: Please load the file to a site like: https://www.mediafire.com/ or any other place I can get at the file.

Sliderule
Hi Sliderule,
Thanks for offering to help. I've uploaded to mediafire and have a download link for you:
http://www.mediafire.com/?23me3mxofo708 ... wos7v27suv
Please let me know anything else I can provide to help.
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Sliderule
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Sliderule »

Unfortunately, the database file you sent me does NOT contain a required script file in the database sub-directory. WithOUT a script file . . . nothing I can do.

I have attached a copy of the ZIP repair utility I used to show the internal contents of your Base file ( *.odb ).

Code: Select all

Archive test and fix started: 6/25/2017 7:45:57 PM
--------------------------------------------------
Corrupted file name: C:\Users\Sliderule\Documents\Expenses.zip
MD5: A10F1C43AFB59DA28603ED7CEE192644
File size: 1621814 bytes
--------------------------------------------------
Fixed file name: C:\Users\Sliderule\Documents\Expenses_ZFX.zip
--------------------------------------------------

mimetype	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/images/Bitmaps/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/accelerator/current.xml	 File is corrupted
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/floater/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/menubar/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/progressbar/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/popupmenu/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/toolbar/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/statusbar/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/Configurations2/toolpanel/	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/content.xml	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/settings.xml	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/styles.xml	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/manifest.rdf	 File is OK
forms/Obj12/meta.xml	 File is OK
Configurations2/floater/	 File is OK
Configurations2/accelerator/current.xml	 File is corrupted
Configurations2/images/Bitmaps/	 File is OK
Configurations2/progressbar/	 File is OK
Configurations2/menubar/	 File is OK
Configurations2/popupmenu/	 File is OK
Configurations2/toolbar/	 File is OK
Configurations2/statusbar/	 File is OK
Configurations2/toolpanel/	 File is OK
database/properties	 File is OK
database/backup	 File is corrupted
database/data	 File is OK
content.xml	 File is OK
META-INF/	 File is OK
reports/	 File is OK
settings.xml	 File is OK
META-INF/manifest.xml	 File is OK

--------------------------------------------------
29 of 32 files were found OK
Fixed file name: C:\Users\Sliderule\Documents\Expenses_ZFX.zip
Fixed file MD5: 52A078B94B6A9B2ADCE3BE40525E3EC1
Fixed file size: 797457 bytes
Archive test and fix finished: 6/25/2017 7:45:58 PM
--------------------------------------------------
Log created with Zip2Fix 1.0 - http://leelusoft.blogspot.com
--------------------------------------------------
Again, since the required internal file database/script does not exist, nothing I can do. Sorry.

Sliderule
Jgrady
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Jgrady »

Sliderule wrote:Again, since the required internal file database/script does not exist, nothing I can do. Sorry.

Sliderule
Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to try.

Thanks,
John
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by John_Ha »

This is a bit "brute force and ignorance" but it might work. If the faulty/corrupted files are not "data files", then try replacing them all with the equivalent files from your backup file. The biggest problem is it will be difficult for you to prove that the reconstructed file is complete.
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Sliderule
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Sliderule »

I respectfully disagree with what user John_Ha is suggesting.

The reason, the script file contains pointers to the data file . . . and . . . any prior script file's pointers to a newer data file . . . therefore, canNOT be used.

Sliderule
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by John_Ha »

Sliderule wrote:I respectfully disagree with what user John_Ha is suggesting.
I defer to sliderule's vastly better knowledge.

See [Tutorial] How to find and un-delete Writer temporary files for instructions on how to identify and un-delete the temporary files Base wrote when you were working with the .odb file, and then deleted - they seem to be handled the same as Writer handles .odt files, namely in a folder in C:\Users\xxxxxx\AppData\Local\Temp. You might be able to recover your .odb file as it was when you last opened it (or as it was when it was last saved with AutoRecovery?).

You may also find previous versions of the .odb file in the folder it is located in, but which have since been deleted.
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by UnklDonald418 »

I do have a backup from May,
Just a long shot, but if that backup is an archival backup you might also look in the directory shown at Tools->Options->Open Office->Paths->Backup. Occasionally there is something there that may be useful. You should look in that directory every one in awhile. I've noticed that especially after a crash there are often thousands of empty files saved in that directory.
If your problem has been solved, please edit this topic's initial post and add "[Solved]" to the beginning of the subject line
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Jgrady
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Re: odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Jgrady »

To: John_ha - Thanks for the options. I've tried them to no avail :(

To: Sliderule - You have been proven correct through many different permutations of attempting to combine files from a previously saved version and the corrupted one. (I think the biggest issue is that the data file has a crc problem, so it's corrupted eventhough Zip2Fix thought it was ok.)

To: UnklDonald418 - I tried your suggestions as part of John_Ha's suggestions and didn't have any luck.

Thanks to all for trying. I'm going to just re-enter the data the best I can from my May backup. Lesson learned!

Thanks,
John
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Villeroy
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Re: SOLVED - odb file opens with "Choose Filter" after crash

Post by Villeroy »

At least you have some backup even if its old. The problem with embedded HSQL databases is not the HSQL database. There is a problem with the way how the embedding is implemented.
Any such database should be converted to a stand-alone database separated from office documents and odb containers. This can be done in a minute with the help of my script viewtopic.php?f=21&t=86071

When the HSQLDB is separated from the office document, it is very unlikely that a crashing office suite can do any harm to your database. Anyway, you should run regular backups including all your precious data.
Please, edit this topic's initial post and add "[Solved]" to the subject line if your problem has been solved.
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