Tips to Resolve "filename.dbf has become corrupted" Error Message

Are you receiving an error message while accessing Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 files? If your response is 'yes', then the database might be corrupted. Like any other file, the Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 file (having .dbf extension) can be corrupted due to improper system shutdown, application malfunction, header corruption, virus attack, and human mistakes. The error message encountered after  Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 file damage does not allow the file to load, resulting in inaccessibility of data/information saved in the file. In such cases, you will need to run SET TABLEVALIDATE option and find out the exact cause and resolution for corruption. However, if you are unable to search for the exact cause and the data saved in the file continues to be inaccessible, then you will need to perform restoration of the file from an up-to-date backup. But, if you have not created any backup of the file or the backup is incomplete, then you will need to use a safe third-party DBF File Repair application.

For deep analysis of the above scenario, consider a practical case wherein you encounter the below error message while accessing your DBF file:

"Error#() : 2005
Message(): Error loading file - record number 28 filename.dbf has become corrupted."

After the above error message appears, data saved in the file becomes inaccessible. In addition, the same error message appears each time you try to open your Microsoft Visual FoxPro 9.0 file.

Cause:

As the error message states, the DBF file is corrupted.

Resolution:

To resolve the above error message and to access the database file records, you will need to restore the file from an updated backup. In case the DBF file backup is damaged or unavailable, you will need to repair the file using a commercial DBF Repair application. Such DBF File Repair tools use effective, yet secure repairing algorithms to resolve logical corruption in DBF files. The utility brings the file in reusable form and allows you to access all its components.

DBF Recovery Software is a powerful, safe, and easy-to-understand DBF Repair application that repairs all logically damaged DBF files. Compatible with MS Visual FoxPro 9.0, MS Visual FoxPro 8.0, MS Visual FoxPro 7.0, dBase V, dBase IV, and dBase III, the repair utility can be installed on Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP, and 2000 operating systems.