you will need to copy the database to your hard disk, you can't operate with a database on a read-only media unless the database is prepared for this (seems unlikely)
Nick Upson, Telensa Ltd, Operations Network Engineer direct +44 (0) 1799 533252, support +44 (0) 1799 399200 On 10 July 2014 18:34, Mark Rotteveel [email protected] [firebird-support] <[email protected]> wrote: > > > On 9-7-2014 21:34, 'Edward Mendez' [email protected] > [firebird-support] wrote: > > I have a situation where I might have to open up a FIREBIRD Database > > file that I didn’t create or maintain. I probably will not know the > > exact version of FIREBIRD this file was used with. It can be anything > > from FIREBIRD 2.1.4 up to 2.5.2 > > > > The database file will be given to me on a read only external HD. It > > will be accessed from a windows 7 PC. Everything I will need must > > already be preinstalled on this PC before taking possession of this > > Database File. (i.e. this PC will not be connected to the internet in > > order to install new software.) I can have an installer reside on a > > folder for install if I need it. > > > One question I have was that if I install a FB 2.5.2 Server on this > > windows PC would I be able to open a Database that has been created > > using a 2.1.4 server? > > Yes, a Firebird 2.5 can open database from Firebird 2.1. Upgrading the > database by backup and restore is a best practice (it upgrades the ODS > so new features are available), but it is not strictly necessary. With > Firebird 3 this is going to change! > > > Are there any programs out there that can open up a Firebird DB locally > > without a server/embedded installed? > > At a minimum you will need a program that uses Firebird embedded. > > > My plan was to… > > > > 1)Keep a copy of the msi installers for Firebird server 2.1.4/5 & 2.52 > > somewhere on the Disk of this PC. > > That sounds like the wisest course of action. > > > 2)Install a copy of IBEXPERT free edition on the PC to view the > data/schema > > > > 3)Install FBExport & FBCopy in case I need to export the data into > > another format. > > > > Is there something I might have missed or something that will work > > better than what I plan to use. > > Can't think of anything else right now. > > However, the big question is: what is it you need to do with the > database? If the database is damaged and the needs to be repaired, then > Firebird will not be able to (correctly) read the file, and you'd sooner > need something like IBSurgeon FirstAID (assuming simple fixes with gfix > won't work). > > Mark > > -- > Mark Rotteveel > >
