FAQ Number : E12                                 Latest Update: 11/12/03

Run Time Error 3343 may appear when you try to go into PFM.  Unfortunately, this indicates a major database corruption that has left your data unreadable. It generally occurs if there is major network work being done resulting in spikes being sent down the network that corrupts the PFM data.  It is unlikely you will be able to recover the data from the datafile, so will need to return to a backup.

There are various choices with this -

1. Use the PFM Safety Nets -

PFM creates its own backups of the last 4 times you have used the system. These are called Safety Net 1, 2 3 and 4 although Safety Net 1 will not be the oldest - you will need to check the dates to find the newest one. Bear in mind that the latest Safety Net may include the corruption, so you will need to check the Safety Nets - newest first, until you find an operational set of data using My Computer or Windows Explorer.  Once located, COPY the relevant safety net and PASTE it.  Find the existing file called PFM5.MDB and rename to OLDPFM5.MDB.  Then rename the copy of the Safety Net to PFM5.MDB.   Run your program and it should now load.  GO straight to the Audit Trail on Screen Enquiries to see exactly what has been lost.

2. Use your Network Managers Backup -

If you network manager has a more recent backup of uncorrupted data, you may wish to have this data (called PFM5.MDB) restored instead.