I have a client who had a problem with the LISTS file in the system I maintain for them. I was able to make a backup copy of LISTS, and want to delete the corrupted main file LISTS now so I can restore the backup. I deleted the file with a DOS command, since AREV didn't seem to be able to find the original LISTS. Now however any attempt to overwrite that existing file or to delete it using AREV's 'DELETEFILE' results in an error message. My question is what file management pointers or files do I need to edit to convince AREV that the original LISTS is really gone? I found and deleted a record of the file in 'FILE_INFORMATION' for the volume that contains LISTS. What other information does AREV keep in its own file management system?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Dave Rapp

Seattle, WA

Dave,

If you deleted the files from a DOS level, you really only got part of the problem taken care of. You need to delete the reference to the file (dictionary AND data) in the REVMEDIA file for the volume on which the file is contained. Mind you, you will be 'playing' in some 'dicey' territory, but it can be done.

- From within the application, create the data portion of a file called NEW.LISTS. (Dict as well if you need it.)

- Log in as SYSPROG.

- From TCL, do an ATTACH(table) VolumePath REVMEDIA

- ED REVMEDIA

- On the Records prompt, press the to see a list of items.

- Select the two pertaining to the LISTS file. There should be one for LISTS, and one for DICT.LISTS. If it is only the data portion, only get rid of the single item. Make a copy of any dictionary items first so as not to lose the dictionary.

- Bring the selected records up in the EDitor. Do an + to delete the affected record. BEFORE you hit that Alt-D, VERIFY that the REV##### is correct for the file you are getting rid of.

- Copy the record(s) for NEW.LISTS, changing the NEW.LISTS reference to LISTS. Get rid of the old NEW.LISTS references. This step will keep you from having to log in with NO LISTS file.

- Log out

- Log back in as the normal application would log in. Re-create the lists file.

Note that this procedure DOES NOT have the blessings of Revelation Software. Do this procedure CAREFULLY!!! If you are unsure, don't do it until you are sure. MAKE A BACKUP FIRST!!

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Eric Drews

Drews Enterprises

[email protected]

908 665 2513

What did you delete from DOS? How did you know to delete that? Arev maintains pointers to DOS files in the REVMEDIA file. You can attach the REVMEDIA file from the SYSPROG account. Just ATTACH volume REVMEDIA (or 3.x equivalent command). Now you can edit the revmedia file as you would any other.

The key to the revmedia file is a two-part key consisting of the file name and the account name. It will either be your logged account, GLOBAL, or another account if your LISTS file is a qfile. More than likely it will be your logged account. You can EDIT REVMEDIA LISTS*account to see what information is being stored for the file. At the most basic level it is just the DOS file name (sans extension). If you have already deleted the DOS files, all you need do is delete the record in the REVMEDIA file.

Alternatively, you can download a utility from Compuserve which finds widows and orphans and allows you to repair/delete them. I don't recall if the utility is version 3.x friendly. I'll bet someone here has one that is, though. Actually, off the top of my head, I can't see that there'd be a difference.

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