What?

Here are many of the error messages that can signal an Access database corruption:

• Unrecognized Database Format.
• This database is in an unrecognized format. The database may have been created with a later version of Microsoft Access than the one you are using.
• The Microsoft Jet Database Engine cannot open the file
• The Microsoft Jet database engine stopped the process because you and another user are attempting to change the same data at the same time (when only one user is logged into the database)
• AOIndex is not an index in this table
• This database is in an unexpected state; Microsoft Access can't open it..
• You do not have the necessary permissions to open this object. Please contact your system administrator.
• *** isn't an Index in this table.
• Record(s) cannot be read; no read permission on 'MSysAccessObjects'
• Microsoft Access has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
• Unexpected error 35012 (opening file)
• This object needs a newer version of the Microsoft Jet database module
• Operation failed - too many indexes - reduce the number and try again
• Access crashes (Invalid Page Fault/GPF) when opening the database
• The instruction at "0x????????" referenced memory at "0x????????". The memory could not be 'written'
• The Visual Basic for Applications Project in this database Is Corrupt
• The Microsoft Jet Database Engine could not find object Msys*/databases.
• Could not find field '***'
• Invalid Bookmark
• Access starts loosing table records randomly
• #DELETED# appears in tables when multi-user access is not used
  

Why?

Errors like the ones above are generated from numerous sources that include, but are certainly not limited to:

• Low available memory, whether or not your Pc has plenty of memory installed
• Multiple simultaneous users working in the same areas of the database
• Missing versions or even the same version of Access with different levels of updating
• A catastrophic event while working in the database (e.g. power loss, power terminated, loss of program control, etc.)
• Failure over a period of time to run routine maintenance procedures that help prevent corruptions.
  

How?

In order to repair a broken Access database the priority for how to proceed is pretty simple:

1. Delete any '.Ldb' files that might be present in the database folder.  This file is attempting to lock the database for use by multiple users.  ('.Ldb' files should NOT be present when Access is properly shut down with no active users.)
2. Make one or more copies of the database to work on for recovery purposes.
3. If the database will open use the 'Compact and Repair' tool found under the [Tools] and [Database Utilities]  menus.  If this step doesn't succeed...
4. Create a new blank access database and try to ‘Import’ the old database into it using the commands under [File], [Get External Data] and [Import].  Presuming no success, next... 
5. Try using the 'Jet Compact Utility' available from Microsoft at:  www-support-microsoft-com/kb/273956 (Copy, Paste and correct).  And finally...
6. Consider an outside service to perform the repair.

Using an outside service can be costly... 

We recently reviewed several Access database repair services that promised a repair.  Some services even demonstrated the probability of a successful result, but withheld the 'repaired database' until after the receipt of fees ranging from $75 to $300.  The best guideline we can offer is to do a bit of shopping via a search of "Access Database Repair" firms, and then look for one that allows you to upload your database file and get a full report of the likely results before you're committed to pay.  You can own a software repair tool like the one these services use for $300 or so.  But, you can get a repair done much more cheaply, and then resolve to use a combination of regular database maintenance and routine backups to prevent a future problem.

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