My database file will not open

[Kerrye]

Had a faulty hard drive which we have replaced and re-installed ACT Pro. But we had to get a data recovery company to recover the files from the faulty hard drive.

I have recovered the ADF file (which is approx 50mb) and the ALF file (which is approx 5mb).

Are there any other files needed to be recovered?

I try to open the database using the 'open an existing Act database', then I click on the 'The database I want is not listed' at the bottom of the window, then by changing the file type to ADF I find our database.

I then select and open, a new window opens which says 'Act will now verify the database...'' after clicking OK, another window opens which says 'working' but after 8 hours+ nothing else happens.

I dont have a backup file.

Can anyone help?

[Kugel]

I stand corrected

[wellmet]

You actually can recover from an ADF and an ALF provided they are intact.  There is a folder structure that includes attachments, report and document templates, etc. so you'll probably need those too but I've recovered quite a few systems when we didn't have a good backup of the database.  You should probably get an Act! Certified Consultant to help you out with the recovery but you could do it yourself if you wanted.

Stan

[Kerrye]

If I wanted to try recovery myself, are there ant instructions available on how to do this?

[wellmet]

This should get you started.

http://kb.swiftpage.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27607

Stan

[Kerrye]

Many thanks I will try that and post how I get on!

[Kerrye]

No luck with this.

Using the command screen:

- cant get anything to work/happen using the commands

- Trying to 'attach' when i enter the full file path I get the message 'Unhandled exception...the database name exceeds the max length of 32 characters' - (the path exceeds 32 characters but the database name is only 7 characters long, so dont get this message)

I  assume the first thing I need to do is attach to SQL (whatever this is/means) - but cant do this.

Using the Act Diagnostic window - only the 'ACT2014demo' database appears, my own database file is in the same folder but does not apper in this window.

Is there any thing else I can try?