What scenarios could cause data loss?

I have a user who is telling me that a record keeps losing data that he has updated. I cannot for the life of me think of a reason that this could happen when no one else has a problem.

The one situation I can think of it that the user is updating a record and losing his connection to the database before it has been saved. I am thinking this because he has also complained that he keeps getting dropped from the file.

Hi mehronx,

This wouldn't be the first user who was trying to do their update in the FInd Mode.

You might check how they are getting to the "Update" layout.

HTh

Lee

How many copies of the file exist? Often a user will think he is working on one file (on the server for example) when he has somehow accidently opened up another copy (on his own machine or on some backup copy somewhere else). So, make sure that if there are any backup copies of the files anywhere on the network that they are compressed so that FM can't open them. And if the files are being opened from a server, make sure the user is using the Hosts button to select them otherwise they are going to get corrupted.

The find mode scenario is very possible. I currently do not have an update screen for records. The main layout is editable, which is dangerous I guess.

Also, there is only one file on the server that is opened by an "opener file" locally.

I've had this reported a couple times. It has turned out to be PEBKAC (Problem exsists between keyboard and chair). where they've been deleting records instead of closing the window (!) to AppleTalk-ing into the server and getting their own copy.

The key is to think like a user and try and see if you can reproduce what they say happens.