There is no doubt that Microsoft Access is a very popular alternative to some of the more heavy duty database applications like Oracle because of its ease of use as well as its powerful features. Its versatility and interoperability with other programs means that it can be used equally well for both small and large database projects. The extensive use of Access for storing and sharing valuable data has also increased the need for users to be aware of ways in which the database can be protected. Further, if the Access MDB files do get damaged, users need to know of reliable ways in which to recover MDB files so that data loss can be minimized.

 

Let us look at some of the more trusted methods through which you can recover data from damaged Access MDB files.

·        Before starting any recovery process, it is important that you take a backup of the database files that you suspect of being corrupted. This way even if the repair process makes the corruption worse, you may still be able to retrieve some data from the backup.

·        If your database table is damaged, make a copy of your damaged database table. Now create a new table and simply paste the structure of the damaged database table to the new one.

·        Open both the new table (with the copied structure of the old table) as well as the damaged database table. Now copy each record from the damaged database table into the new table. Place each record in the same location as it originally was in the old database table. After every such copy and paste operation, test your table.

·        As you are copying the records, if you receive error messages while testing the table, you will know which records are corrupted. Then simply re-type the data from the corrupted database table if you cannot copy them into the new table.

·        Once you have managed to recover MDB data and moved all the records into the new table, you can proceed to create a new database. Give this database a name different from that of your damaged database.

·        Use the Import tool to move the new table and all objects that are still undamaged to the new database. After this step, you can quit Access.

·        You can now rename the damaged database, delete all the LDB files that are associated with this database and move the new database into the working location. Finally you can give the new database the same name as the damaged database.

You should note the following:

·        Before you move your recovered database to the working location and start working with it, test it thoroughly to ensure that it is working properly.

·        Only after you have worked sufficiently with the new database and are convinced that the database has been successfully recovered, should you delete the old damaged database.

If the above steps are unsuccessful in recovering your database, you could use recovery tools like Advanced Access Repair from DataNumen to recover MDB data.