Navision Database Failure

emgeh

Hi everyone,

After a power failure (pretty common here in Florida), I think my server shut down unexpectedly and it seems like it corrupted the database. This has actually happened twice now. I've been able to recover the backup every time, but I was wondering if anyone else ever had that problem.
The first time Navision would not start stating an error about the size of the database in the file and the size reported by windows did not match. The second time now the database size was just 0kb in windows. I couldn't even open it anymore. The only message I have in the system log says 'Service Control Manager: Error: 7023: The Navision Attain Database Server <NAME> service terminated with the following error. Incorrect function.'.
I'm pretty sure that we had power failures before and that the server also shut down unexpectedly, but it never caused any problems with Navision. It's weird too, since most power failures happen at night and no one is logged in during that time. Could it have something to do with running the service?
Obviously I'm in way over my head here, but maybe someone here knows how I can stop it from happening. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Savatage

1. are you using a raid 1 setup.

2. if this is common I would invest in a good UPS.

Most good UPS's come with shut down software that during a prolonged power outtage will shut down your server normally.

jm

looks like you are using Write-Cache on your disks.

turn the Write-Cache off.

br
Josef Metz

jm

looks like you are using Write-Cache on your disks.

turn the Write-Cache off.

br
Josef Metz

emgeh

1) Yes I do have a RAID 1 setup, but I've always had it.
2) Believe you me. The UPS is on it's way. It's interesting to learn all these things after the fact.

Honestly I have no idea if Write-Caching is on or off. I'll have to check how to change that. Usually in the firmware right? Does that have something to do with the RAID 1?

Thanks.

Savatage

Enabling or Disabling the Disk Write Caching
1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Hardware tab.
3. Click Device Manager.
4. Click the plus sign (+) next to the Disk Drives branch to expand it.
5. Right-click the drive on which you want to enable or disable disk write caching, and then click Properties.
6. Click the Disk Properties tab.
7. Click to select or clear the Write Cache Enabled check box as appropriate.
8. Click OK.
NOTE: Enabling write caching generates the following warning. This is normal:
By enabling write caching, file system corruption and/or data loss could occur if the machine experiences a power, device or system failure and cannot be shutdown properly.

**it's an uncheckable option on our system

Ian_piddignton

How are you preforming your backups.

If you are backing up the fdb using 3rd party software(ie not the navison backup) and the power goes this could have a problem, also if you are using external backups make sure the Navision server service is stopped as this can also cause a problem at times.


Regards

ian

emgeh

I am now doing the backups using ExpandIt backup utility. This is done with the task manager and it's basically a script that copies your own movemovements though Navision. So I don't think that should cause any problems.
The write-cache setting for the SCSI controller can not be set from Windows and I guess it needs to be done during boot up.
One thing I have noticed. I wanted to include Navision in a console windows. And it seems that since I got that to work, I am also having problems with Navision after a power failure. Is this maybe keeping a connection to the database open?
Thanks.