Unknown Data File Type

[Jack Brinegar]

I am not sure if I will get anywhere with this, but this is my last ditch
effort.

I have a customer that is looking to convert from an old custom made DOS
database program to Access (possible SQL Server). The customer has existing
data in the old database files and would like to retain this data in the new
database (again, Access or SQL Server). The problem is, I can not find any
way to read the data and extract it into any usable type.

While the data files have the MDB extension, they do not appear to be Access
files. I have tried to open the files using all version of Access I have
(from 97 to 2003) and none seem to work.

In looking at some of the code the original DOS developer used to 'archive'
some of the data, I see that he used the following to create the files:

OPEN "jbarc99.mdb" FOR ISAM jobrecord "jobs" AS #2

Now of course this looks like normal BASIC code, but I have never heard of
ISAM before and can not find any supporting information that helps me find a
solution to my problem.

Also, when I look at the datafile's BINARY, I do see references to
'MSysRelationships' so I would like to believe that these files are some sort
of relational data files.

If there is anyone out there that might have some ideas or be able to review
the files, I would be extremely greatful.

Thanks in advance,
Jack C. Brinegar
Innovative Software
(e-mail address removed)

 

[John Nurick]

Hi Jack,

Instead of trying to open the files with Access, have you tried
importing or linking the tables they contain? The facts that the files
have the .mdb extension and contain the string MSysRelationships make me
feel that they may belong to an antique version of Access or Jet. I'm
assuming that you'd have noticed if the files contained simple binary
records (like .dbf files or custom data files created by Basic or Pascal
file I/O): this is another reason to think these are "structured
storage" files, which weren't common among DOS databases.

If importing/linking doesn't work, I'd try writing some code against the
DAO 2.5 object library to instantiate a DBEngine object and use that to
open the .mdb file. Failing that, ask round for someone who still has
Access 2.x installed.

ISAM stands for indexed sequential access module or some such and has to
do with data access technologies. Access/Jet still uses ISAM to access
data in Excel sheets, text files and (IIRC) dBASE and Paradox files. It
seems reasonable that there should have been an ISAM extension to the
Basic file I/O statements. Have you googled for something like
open "for isam" basic database
?

Finally, if you have the old application, the data, and the source code,
surely you can write a little routine to export the data to text files
or some such?

 

[Jack Brinegar]

John,

I have tried linking and importing. I have even tried writing a program
using the earliest version (that I have) of DAO, RDO and ADO. None seem to
work... I always get the same error...unrecognized file format.

This has to be a database file of some sorts as I see section that identify
COLUMNS and rows of data. My only concern is that if I extract the ASCII
data while viewing the BINARY of the file...I might miss something of
importance to my customer.

I don't have access to the source code or the code-slinger that did the old
program. So that is not an option either.

The earliest version of Access that I have is 95,,,and that too fires the
error mentioned above. I am at a loss I guess and while I hate to admit
defeat...I think I have to here. The customer will not be too happy with
having to re-key the data.

Thanks again for your help. If you can think of anything that might be
help...please let me know.

Jack C. Brinegar
Innovative Software
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Peter Gillett]

John,

I have tried linking and importing. I have even tried writing a program
using the earliest version (that I have) of DAO, RDO and ADO. None seem to
work... I always get the same error...unrecognized file format.

This has to be a database file of some sorts as I see section that identify
COLUMNS and rows of data. My only concern is that if I extract the ASCII
data while viewing the BINARY of the file...I might miss something of
importance to my customer.

I don't have access to the source code or the code-slinger that did the old
program. So that is not an option either.

The earliest version of Access that I have is 95,,,and that too fires the
error mentioned above. I am at a loss I guess and while I hate to admit
defeat...I think I have to here. The customer will not be too happy with
having to re-key the data.

Thanks again for your help. If you can think of anything that might be
help...please let me know.

Jack C. Brinegar
Innovative Software
(e-mail address removed)

"John Nurick" wrote:

Access 95 and later were Windows applications.
If you are sure that the original was DOS then it might be a Access1
database.
I believe that this cannot be converted by any current Access version and
needs a converter tool (available from MS web site?).
I seem to remember a thread a few months ago so it might be worth googling
on this news group.

Peter

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

If the data if fixed length (open up the file with a editor), then you
likely can import the data.

You might want to rename the file extension (on a copy of course!!).

Ms-access can actually import fixed length data files, and MOST (if not all)
old style data files are fixed length fields and fixed length records.

For a customer file, and some of the data, importing might not be that hard.

Further, are there any "reports" that allow you to send the output to a text
file? Often, it far better to write some code that parses and imports report
data then trying to read the original. So, are there any reports that could
be used to suck the data out of? (assuming you send the output to a text
file..and not a printer). If the softwar does not have a print to file
option, then just setup a "text" printer in windows, and use the "print to
file" option...

And, poke around, as often many programs had/have some "export" option which
will export the data to some text format for you...

 

[forti123]

All,

Just want to know who will be versed at the safty tech.????

Forti123