Cannot Read File - Open & Repair Failed - FDB failed to open

[MRM101]

Hi Guys,

I know I'm not the one who encountered this situation, but it really gives me a headache today. Yesterday, I was still working. However, today I am unable to open the file, and the repair option also fails to work. Additionally, the FDB backup cannot be opened or read. Any suggestions?

[Barry Kelly]

Are you possibly trying to open a version 28 file in say 27?

That won't work.

If that is not it, what is the file size.

If 0 KB or very small, then the file is corrupt and you won't be able to do anything to fix that.

What warning messages are you seeing?

What is an FTB backup?

There should be a .BPN file in the job folder, that can be opened and will be as good as your last save.

Barry.

[MRM101]

Hi Barry,

Just ver 25... opening the file this is the warning message.

trying to open and repair thisis the warning message

Sorry my bad its fdb NOT FTB - wrong text. trying to change that to pln... still failed.

[Barry Kelly]

Are you sure you (or a co-worker) didn't save the file in version newer than 25.?

That is exactly the message you will see when you try to open a 26 file in 25.

Right click on the .PLN file in Windows Explorer and see what the properties say.

Be sure to look at the 'Info& Preview' tab.

The FDB is an autosave file that generally you shouldn't open directly.

This file will exist if your Archicad crashed before you could save the file.

Sometimes you can rename to .PLN and open it (I would try that on a copy pf the file).

Barry.

[MRM101]

Hi Barry, 

we check,there is no .BPN on the same project folder. I don't know why it doesn't create a bpn file. And the version is exactly 25. We try to reopen on version 26. (see below) But it's still failed.

[Barry Kelly]

Looks like it is indeed a 25 file but it must be corrupted.

You must have turned the backup (BPN) option off in the Work Environment.

Or is this a teamwork file?

I think your only hope is to try renaming the FDB file.

Barry.

[MRM101]

So frustrated right now, actually. Don't know how to retrieve the main file. FDB is also not working. Is there any way to scan and repair corrupted files that can be dragged and dropped here in Graphisoft, or any program to repair a damaged PLN file?

[Barry Kelly]

Other than Open & Repair, we have no other option available to us.

One other thin you could try though, is to open an empty (template) file.

Then merge that other file in.

You will loose sections, elevations, layouts and publisher sets, but if it works you should have the plans and model.

It may not work either if the file is badly corrupted.

Otherwise all you can do is contact your local Archicad support and see if there is anything they can do to help.

Barry.

[MRM101]

Hi Barry,

Are you suggesting merging? How is it done through File Menu > Interoperability > Merge > Merge from file? Am I correct?

Haven't tried yet. How to merge properly?

[Barry Kelly]

Yep, that's it.

Many years ago I had a file that wouldn't open because some information was missing.

But I was able to merge it.

I have also had the situation where just having Archicad open with a template open and then opening the bad file from the FILE menu. was enough to get it open.

Whereas double clicking the file to open would not work

It seems sometimes there is some file information missing that won't let it open, but having another file already open fills in the gaps.

But of course this just may not work if the file it badly corrupted.

Barry.