10 Ways to Prevent MS Access Database Corruption

When you are working with your MS Access database then you should know that it is data intensive or if you are making some changes in the database then after some period of time you may experience some corruption or damage in the database. Well Microsoft helps to manage complex data which undergoes changes. However when database gets corrupted then you might repair it with little knowledge you have and can recover the database. Even there are third party applications which helps to fix the corruption but before that there are some situation which can avoid the database corruption. Some of the ways are mentioned below which are helpful and can prevent database corruption.

Split your database

When your database is used by two person then its better that you split it into two pieces namely a backend that stores the data in tables and front end that consists of everything else. You should name both the ends properly and always remember that backend is ‘gold’ for you as it contains your entire data. In the separate database, you can very easily replace the front end from backup. Even with this setup, it makes easier to incorporate into your system. It does not matter whether you keep your front end on a network server or on a local drive because when corruption happens then it does not matter where the front end stored is. It will be better that you consider the front end in write protecting so that when any serious problem occurs then you can simply obtain a fresh copy of it to replace the broken one and after that reboot the local system.

Store temporary tables in a backend

When the database creates, populates and deletes the temporary tables the keep those tables in a separate backend to prevent from expanding. After that name it accordingly and make its purpose obvious. Now this extra backend can be shared or local.

Don't use memo fields

Try to avoid memo fields because it indirectly cause corruption. Though the database can be repaired after corruption but there are some content which gets lost. Well if you need memo fields then you should keep them in separate tables and then create one to one relationship to parent table. Moreover if you want better then move the memo fields to separate backend database file and name them accordingly.

Don't store picture files

You should avoid storing pictures in the database. If it is important then treat them in the same way as you do with memo field. MS Access don’t have any problem in attaching tables from several backend database.

Create temporary tables to speed up queries

When you run complex or nested queries then Access file may write the temporary data which you never see. Even when the query work slowly with small amount of data that performs slowly then such situation happens putting stress on JET engine. But during this process if Access chokes then it can end with corruption. Therefore to prevent such problem, write some of the temporary data to temporary tables. Well find for some solution as use of just one temporary table can decrease the chance of corruption and also speed up the queries.

Be careful with wireless networks (WiFi)

When you are alone then a connection may work fine but multiple users or powerful neighborhood networks can really make the situation bad. It has a high chance to corrupt the database file when you write to it at that time. But this may not be an issue when users are mostly reading from the database.

Be careful with WAN connections

WAN connection having covered with any connection from local system to server through the internet can really damage the situation. The reading of database can be slow but it can be acceptable and writing the database is prone to error and cause corruption. When anything interrupts the data transfer the Access times out and believed the connection to be lost. Due to this behavior, the backend database gets in a corrupted state.

Don't put Mac and Windows users on the same network

Whenever Windows and Mac users share the same network then there occurs a problem and so it’s better that you make a separate network for database user. Typical Mac applications generate huge amounts of network traffic while moving large graphics files and printing. When you are using sharing movement then its better that you use high quality network components. Therefore its better keep the database traffic separate from the graphics traffic. This can be done by allowing administrative workstations to connect directly to server.

Troubleshoot network hardware

When corruption occurs then you have deal with network hardware issue. For that you have to first narrow the workstation and move the error prone situation with another. If the problem follows the workstation then it can be easily removed from the workstation. But if the problem is not with the workstation then the error can be in the connection from the workplace to network switch including actual port. Here if the cable is in good condition then move the ports between workstations. Now if the error source moves too then replace the switch otherwise replace the cable. However if cables are not installed permanently then try replacing them before swapping workstations.

Check the server's configuration

Sometimes you may don’t know but in the server where you have stored the shared backend database file may be the culprit. However you need to resolve this type of problem. Several possibilities are there starting from server parameters to malfunctioning disc controller to misconfigured RAID array. Although you can move the backend file temporarily to different location such as one of the popular NAS devices or shared folder on workstation.

Well, all the above mentioned steps are meant to prevent from MS Access database corruption. One should follow the above steps to avoid any type of corruption in Access database. If not then use of third party application can help you to get rid of corruption.

Automatic Solution to Repair MS Access Database corruption:

Use of third party tool like MS Access Database Repair will help you to fix the corruption. This is a powerful tool which comes with powerful algorithm and has an advanced scanning option. It easily operate and restores the damage or corrupt queries, indexes, tables along with other data. With the help of this software, any type of database error and problems whether it is minor or major can be easily repaired. It works on almost all versions of windows operating system like Windows XP/2003/7/8/Vista.