Reindex Files Program Interrupted

Last reviewed: 07/10/2009
Article ID: R10779

The information in this article applies to:

• Tabs3 Billing Software Version 15, 14, 12 & 11
• PracticeMaster Version 15, 14, 12 & 11
• Tabs3 Accounts Payable Software (APS) Version 15, 14, 12 & 11
• Tabs3 General Ledger Software (GLS) Version 15, 14, 12 & 11
• Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software (TAS) Version 15, 14, 12 & 11
• Tabs3 Remote Entry Software Version 15, 14, 12 & 11
• System Configuration Version 15, 14, 12 & 11

SUMMARY

The Reindex Files program modifies one or more data files. If the process is interrupted (e.g., if a Windows fatal error occurs or there is a power failure), it may be necessary to restore from a backup made before the process was begun. The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines regarding the circumstances under which restoring is recommended and potential situations in which it might not be necessary to restore.

MORE INFORMATION

There are two factors to consider when determining whether or not it is necessary to restore from a backup:

• Had the reindexing process begun when the interruption occurred?
• Which check boxes were selected when the OK button was clicked?

When the Reindex Files program is launched, the application prompts you to make a temporary backup before proceeding. Once the backup has completed or has been skipped (not recommended), the next step in the process is to select which files are to be reindexed and which options will be used in the process.

The actual modification of the selected file(s) does not begin to occur until the OK button is clicked. For this reason, if the interruption occurs BEFORE the OK button is clicked, it should not be necessary to restore from a backup regardless of which check boxes were selected.

Even if the reindex process had begun (i.e., the OK button had already been clicked) when the interruption occurred, it may not be necessary to restore from a backup if neither of the option check boxes were selected when the program was run. See neither of the check boxes were selected for more information.

Which check boxes were selected when the OK button was clicked?

In addition to specifying which files(s) are to be affected, two options are available when reindexing files:

• Compact Selected Files:  This option can be used to assign new reference numbers to existing work-in-process transactions and to reclaim disk space when a large number of transactions have been deleted. It can sometimes also be used to correct an Error 23 or Error 26 reported by the Data File Integrity Check. Because this process changes the actual contents of the data file, if the Reindex Files program is interrupted with this check box selected, you must restore from a backup that was made before the Reindex Files program was started.
• Delete records that contain errors:  This option can be used to correct corrupted data files by removing records that have certain types of errors. We do not recommend selecting this check box unless you are advised to do so by one of our Technical Support Representatives. Because this process changes the actual contents of the data file, if the Reindex Files program is interrupted with this check box selected, you must restore from a backup that was made before the Reindex Files program was started.
• Neither of the check boxes were selected:  If the Reindex Files program is interrupted and neither of the option check boxes were selected when the OK button was clicked, it may be possible to salvage your data file(s) without restoring from a backup. Although restoring is the safest option, immediately reindexing the same file(s) again with neither check box selected may resolve the problems caused by the interruption of the Reindex Files program. Once the process has completed successfully, be sure to run the Data File Integrity Check program (as well as the Archive Data Integrity Check program if using Tabs3) to ensure that all problems have been corrected.

Important: When the Reindex Files program is interrupted, the integrity of the file(s) being reindexed is compromised regardless of which check boxes were selected. Missing and incorrect data can result, although these problems may not be immediately noticeable. For this reason, if the Reindex Files program is interrupted, the application should not be used by anyone until one of the resolutions in this article has been successfully implemented.

REFERENCES

• KB Article R10102 - How Reindex Data Files Affects Your Data

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