Error: The database is an invalid tandem data base! I get this when trying to open Tandem Vids, to my knowledge we haven't changed a thing ? Could you please suggest what to do?

I have reinstalled the latest update of tandemvids. I have also tried to reinstall the sql server compact3.5 sp2. I am not sure how to run the exe file but because I've been running for 5 years without too many issues I'm thinking I might actually have a data base problem. As of right now can't open tandem vids.

This does sound like you have a corrupt database. I've only seen it a few times over the years.

Turn on hidden files and navigate to "C:\ProgramData\Swoopware\TandemVids" using Windows Explorer.

Rename "TandemVids.sdf" to "TandemVids.sdf.corrupt"

Restart TandemVids. Does TandemVids work OK now? There won't be any customer data or templates but we'll just make sure it is your database causing the issue first.

If this works, from within TandemVids, select File | Open Database

Browse to "D:\Swoopware\TandemVids\Local projects\Database Backups" or the location of the database backups folder under the local projects folder. You can check under Tools | Options | Files to find the local projects folder. If you are archiving and not saving to local projects, select the backup folder from your archiving location.

Select the most recent backup. You'll receive the same invalid database message.

Sort by name or date descending and work your way down until you find the most recent database that opens successfully and make a note of which file it was.

Close TandemVids.

Copy the most recent good backup to "C:\ProgramData\Swoopware\TandemVids" and rename it to "TandemVids.sdf".

Let me know how you go. If you can't sort it out, send me the corrupt database and I'll see if I can repair it.

Cheers. Mick.

Thanks Mick, I restored it to a point last week.