Filefix.exe for the Reporting to the MAX

Version 4.5 ships with a new utility that augments the file repair capability of FILEFIX.EXE. FILEFIX.EXE works very well for finding duplicate records in a data file IF there are no corrupted records in the data file, the header record is undamaged, and the index file is intact. If the header record is corrupt, FILEFIX.EXE (or UTICMS.EXE) is unable to open the file.

Another problem arises with FILEFIX.EXE if the index file is damaged or missing. The header record of each Dbase data file contains a flag, which indicates if the file is an indexed file. FILEFIX.EXE looks at the flag and if the flag is checked (on), it tries to open the index (.mdx) file. If the index file is missing or damaged, FILEFIX.EXE behaves unpredictably or fails completely.

Introducing DBFIX.EXE. DBFIX.EXE enables you to view and alter the header information contained in a Dbase IV file and thereby get around some of the shortcomings of FILEFIX.EXE. In the case of corrupted data records in the data file, the best approach is still to restore from backups or use dBase to try to open the file and excise the corruption. In the case of a corrupted header record, you can use DBFIX.EXE to repair or reconstruct the header record for the file, and then open and repair the file with FILEFIX.EXE.

In the case of a damaged or missing index file, you can use DBFIX.EXE to uncheck the Production Index File flag in the header record. FILEFIX.EXE will then open and repair the file without trying to open the index file. You can then rebuild the index using the accounting software Data/Index File Maintenance option.

To use DBFIX.EXE, first make a backup of the damaged file, the associated index file, and the associated note file if applicable. Store the backups in a safe directory so they can be restored if necessary. Run DBFIX.EXE and select FILE and then OPEN DBF. Enter or select the damaged file and click OK. Select ANALYSIS from the main menu and then INFORMATION. This displays the header record information including the checkbox labeled "Has Production Index File" which is the flag mentioned above. It also displays the size of a record and number of records in the file and the field number, name, type, and length for each field in the record. The only change that can be made from the INFORMATION menu choice is to turn off the "Has Production Index File" flag. Do this if you have a damaged or missing index and the run FILEFIX.EXE. You can view the field information and compare it to your file structure documentation to verify that all field types and lengths are correct. If you find errors in the field information, you can fix them by going to the next step.

Select ANALYSIS from the main menu and then CHECK FIELDS. You then see a display of all fields for the record and the name, type, length, and decimals for each field. To change a value for a particular field, find the field in the scroll box and highlight it with your mouse. The values for the selected field appear in the Change box at the top of the Check Fields box. Make the required changes in the fields and press the Change button. View the field information in the scroll box to verify that your changes took effect.

Be very careful when using this utility and always refer to your file structure documentation. Never guess at a value because every piece of information must be absolutely correct or the accounting software will not function correctly.

One other capability of DBFIX.EXE is to correct the condition where the header record of a file indicates a different number of data records than are physically in the file or that DOS can read. This is the equivalent of setting the end of file in ACTPlus. To do it, select ANALYSIS and then DIAGNOSTICS. In the center of the DIAGNOSTICS dialog box is a box labeled number of records. You will see the number of records that DOS reports on the right side of the box, and the number of records that the header record reports on the left. To synchronize them, change the number of records on the left to equal the number of records on the right.