Datacheck: Checking your Datafile's Integrity (Windows)

Owned by John Bellos (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Apr 01, 2020 by Amy Blanchard
2 min read

Operating Systems: Windows
Applies to Versions: DVMAX v7.0.12

Checking your datafile for issues can assist in identifying problems related to database performance. It is also useful to check the integrity of the datafile when unexpected errors occur for the end user while using DVMAX.

Sometimes checking a datafile routinely (once or twice a year) can help in catching a problem before it becomes more serious - but almost always these types of catastrophes have an initial cause unrelated to normal use of the database. Power failures, Server crashes, hardware failures, etc. The best way to ensure your database's integrity is to have a solid foundation. Keeping your hardware/server routinely serviced and having a working battery backup will put you in a good position to prevent datafile issues.

Note: This document should only be followed if you were instructed to use it from a DVMAX representitive. A serial # will be required to use the Datacheck program.

Step 1 - Quit DVMAX on all computers

To scan your datafile, the database must not be in use, and the DVMAX program must be quit.

Log off DVMAX Client on all workstations and then Quit the DVMAX Server application.
The rest of this document's steps will occur on the Server computer.

Step 2 - Launch & Configure the Datacheck Program

Navigate to C:/Program Files/DVMAXProgramFiles7/DVMaxToolsFolder/Datacheck/
Launch the DataCheck v4.0.3 program.
Go to the File menu and choose Register Product.
Fill in your name and company if desired.
Enter in your Serial #, provided to you by a DVMAX Support technician.
Click OK.
Proceed back to the File menu and choose Exit.

Step 3 - Run a 'Check Error' report on your Datafile.

In the same folder of Step 2, Click and Drag the Check_Error70.run file and drop it on top of the Datacheck v4.0.3 application.

A prompt will appear stating the datafile cannot be found - click OK.
A browse window will appear. Navigate to your datafile (.4DD file) and open it. A typical location would be:
C:/DVMAXDatabaseFiles/DVMAXDataFolder/

A prompt will appear stating the structure file cannot be found - Click OK.
A browse window will appear. Navigate to your structure file (DVMax.4DC) and open it. A typical location would be:
C:/ProgramFiles/DVMAXProgramFiles7/DVMAXServerFolder/Server Database/

The Datacheck program will open and initialize briefly with a progress bar. (This will only take a few seconds.)
When ready, click the Scan button.

A log window will appear and the program will begin scanning your entire datafile and indexes. This could take anywhere from minutes to hours depending on how fast your hard drives are and how big your datafile is.
Scanning will be complete when the top progress bars are completely empty.
The results of the datacheck will be be visible on screen.

Step 4 - Save Datacheck Results and contact DVMAX Support for Analysis.

To save the datacheck results, go to the File menu and choose Save As.
Save the file somewhere easily accessed and name the file to be saved.

Once the results are saved, you can go to the File menu and Exit Datacheck.
Relauch your DVMAX Server to allow users to reconnect and use the system again.

Contact DVMAX Technical Support at 1-800-950-5455 to submit your results for review. If you had a previous contact at DVMAX, feel free to email them the results directly.