I am updating for the new index system and am running into three
problems. The database works just fine while using 5/15 V8:
1. A table that will not erase. It is a list of names that has a PK that
developed through a bad exit. The name is 4a4ad30d. Changed the name to
all text as in past suggestions, no luck. When deleting rows or column,
the table is cloned. Then the original is deletable but the clone stays.
While simply trying to delete the table, the message that a FK
references this table pops up and the process stops. Cannot delete the
PK because of the FK reference. Went through a backup database and
removed all the indexes/keys. Still says the FK exists. R:Scope shows a
blank table name with existing data. The blank table will not erase in
R:Scope. No idea where to find this blank table in the database or if it
is even related to this problem. Decided to unload the 5/15 structure
and data, delete all references to this table with plain text Word, and
rebuild. That's when the next issues came up.
2. Decided to rebuild in 5/15 to be as clean as possible before 7/01.
When rebuilding in 5/15, messages of "Defaults cannot be over 60 chars"
(there are none) or "values incorrect for the column type" came up. I
used the backup to find these issues and fix them as I found them. The
problem came up when defaults I had just changed and saved returned to
the previous incorrect state. A text column that defaulted to 'F' will
have have datetime values. An integer column default will get reset to
'F'. The worse is a default will get reset to gibberish. Something like
"|||g3!?||+". The gibberish will then have 3 blank pages in the plain
text Word file. I have seen this in the past and simply replaced it as
it was found. No idea how this gibberish got there. This seems to be the
source of the 60 Char message. All the columns I am having problems with
are specific to the tables they are in and are not duplicated names from
anywhere else.
3. While reading through the plain text Structure file, I found multiple
tables with repeated or incorrect columns. A simple text column
(NameActiveYN) with a default of 'Y' would be listed as having an
autonum capability with the next number being 551. Trouble is the
autonum column for this table (NameID) stopped at 75 and Design shows
NameActiveYN is just a plain text column with no defaults. In the plain
text Structure file NameActiveYN would be repeated 5 times with the 5th
repetition now putting the autonum at 553.
To solve these problems I am going back and taking a very close look at
all my tables to see what I am missing, doing the unload/rebuild/edit
problems process, going through the Database Maintenance documents very
closely, and using R:Scope. The computer systems are clean. Any other
other suggestions? This database works everyday and Reloads/Packs perfectly.
Tom Frederick
Jacksonville, ILL.
