Losing data

[awan]

Hi,

I have been taking over a Filemaker 4.1 file, which has about 4 users and running on a LAN. Lately, we've noticed that we are "leaking" customers from the customer database, e.g. I've checked the customer DB 3 days ago, 93 names. Today, when I opened an invoice, I've noticed the pull down list on that invoice is missing this customer?? The link to the customer DB is there, the relationship is correct, but the name of that specific customer is gone(although, the invoice info is correct, and still hold this customer as payable). The more bizarre thing is that, the cusotmer DB count is 89, so I lost 4 names. I swear no one has delete any info from this DB.

Does anyone has any ideas?

Thanks.

[Fitch]

My guess is you have multiple copies of your files floating around the network. Backup files should be zipped/stuffed so that FileMaker Pro doesn't "see" them. The good news is, if I'm correct, it's not difficult to import the missing customers into the master file.

[Lee Smith]

I'm betting that the users are entering information in the find mode, or entering information into Global Fields.

[danjacoby]

Or maybe somebody is accidentally deleting records. It's not difficult. In addition to checking the other suggestions (and they're excellent!), you should create a full-access password, and then a blank password that disables deleting records. Then set the blank as the default password in Document Preferences (under the Edit menu, I believe).

P.S. You can also use the blank password to prevent other changes.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

And what about a portal or relationship set with "When deleting a record in this file, also delete related records"....

[awan]

Thanks, y'all for all the suggestions. I think setting up a password will be the first step, then make sure no one is entering new record under Find or Global mode. You guys are very helpful!

[Fitch]

Entering data in Find mode or global fields is always a possibility, but in this instance, awan says he had 93 records, and now has 89. That couldn't be the case if data was entered into Find mode or globals -- you'd never see more than the original 89 records. The answer must be deleting records or multiple files.

[Conran]

I'm having a similar problem...

I'm using FM 4.0 & have a database that is broken into different script parts, first part is the client details, there are other scripts that are used for creating lists, purchases, letter writing etc. All other scripts need the client details script to access information to record product, purchases, correspondence etc.

To start a new client, I must first start in new record so that I can be given a unique client number for each new record. Once that is done I go into the other scripts to create a list of product that is wanted or into another script to record what product has been purchased. I use the unique client number to access client details in related fields. I have noticed that in the past month, I have been losing client records. I know that the information has been correctly entered because I wouldn't be able to get that unique client number that is needed in the other scripts. I know that no one else is deleting the scripts because this sometimes happens while I'm still in the system working on other accounts, or even when I'm working on the same account, it retrieves the information into the list script and when I jump back to the client script the record is gone. The information stays in the other scripts, it's just erased from the original and the unique number is missing and cannot be pulled up.

Is that a hicup? If I re-install filemaker will I loose all the records that I currently have? What can I do?