What platform is the server? NT? Novell? How stable is the server? does it have a UPS that provides constant power to the server? Does the server have an automated shutdown process in case of total power loss? Can the UPS sustain power until the server is shutdown during a power loss?

The most likely cause is abnormal shutdown of your server during power outages. Abrupt and abnormal shutdowns of servers and workstations while files are still open can cause data corruption.

When I have seen this in my own tables, the records are still there, but the data in the fields is garbage. The easiest way to find the garbage records is to open each table and set the order to one of your index tags. Look at the first records and the last records. See if the field values for the indexed field make sense. Then try another index tag.

Next, check your primary key counters. Make sure duplicates are not being generated and that your primary key in the tables is not corrupted.

You can also minimize data corruption by using optimistic buffering of views and tables. Views are preferrable.

>I have a couple of systems running in several companies which have been running without no major glitches for about an year now. But suddendly I get the complaint that some records are missing, and not records from the latest nor the first in the table but random registers!, Without no rational explanation I go on following the mission critical programs that have to do with the problem and I'm sure there is no code that could compromise the stability of the data. What can I do? Does VFP loose records? That really worries me 'cause even though I have a good backup system, you never know WHICH recs are missing and I ain't gonna find no simple way to find a missing record in a 600,000 record table , and the fact that my favorite Database Tool might be doing this to me is taking my good sleep along with my sanity away. Can anyone explain me what might be happening? (PLEASE DONT COME UP WITH SOMETHING LIKE "GET SQL SERVER")