DFIC Error 69 - Duplicate Keys

Last reviewed: 12/15/2010
Article ID: R10616

The information in this article applies to:

• Tabs3 Billing Software Version 16, 15, 14 & 12
• Tabs3 Remote Entry Software Version 16, 15, 14 & 12
• Tabs3 Trust Accounting Software (TAS) Version 16, 15, 14 & 12
• PracticeMaster Version 16, 15, 14 & 12
• Tabs3 General Ledger Software (GLS) Version 16, 15, 14 & 12
• Tabs3 Accounts Payable Software (APS) Version 16, 15, 14 & 12

SUMMARY

A duplicate key indicates that the specified data file has two (or more) records with identical information that should not be identical. In Tabs3 Remote, these errors can occur in either the data files or the optional validation files.

Duplicate Keys are known to be caused by older versions of network redirector software. In addition to resolving the duplicate key errors, firms must also address why the errors occurred in the first place. Refer to KB article R10200, "Redirector Problems and Other Network Problems", which addresses what can be done to prevent these errors from recurring.

Note: This error is not reported when running the Data File Integrity Check with the Read Only check box selected.

MORE INFORMATION

A Data File Integrity Check (DFIC) determines that there is a duplicate key by comparing the number of entries for each index in the file. Every file has more than one index. If the number of entries for each index is not equal, it is assumed that there are missing entries due to a duplicate key. If the problem is due to a duplicate key, the problem is in the data file and running Reindex Files does not "fix" the problem. It is possible that the missing index entry is not due to a duplicate key but due to a corrupted index file. In this case running the Reindex Files program will "fix" the problem.

A DFIC will report one error 69 for each index regardless of how many Duplicate Keys there actually are. If you want to know the actual number of duplicate keys, run the Reindex Files program. Select only the file(s) in question. Make sure the Delete records that contain errors check box is not selected. The Reindex Error Report will include detail information on each duplicate key along with a total count of rejected keys at the end of the file.

Duplicate Keys should not occur. Duplicate Key problems are usually the result of one of the following issues:  improper resetting of terminals; data corruption; or environment-related issues such as hardware problems, network problems, operating system problems, etc.

RESOLUTION

Tabs3 Remote Validation Files

If an error 69 occurs in the Tabs3 Remote validation files:

• Run the Data File Integrity Check utility program in Tabs3. If there are no errors in the Tabs3 Data File Integrity Check, recreate the Tabs3 validation files and transfer the new validation files to the remote terminal. Run the Data File Integrity Check program in Tabs3 Remote again.

All Other Files

The best option is to restore from a good backup. If restoring from a backup is not an option, you can use the following steps to attempt to resolve a DFIC error 69 in the data files:

1. If the error is in a verification file, select Utilities | Reindex Files and reindex the file in question with the Delete records that contain errors check box selected. This will remove the record(s) with duplicate keys. Since the verification files are temporary files, it may be acceptable if data is lost from a verification file.
2. If the error is not in a verification file, make a temporary backup and proceed with the next step. (Do not overwrite an existing backup.)
3. Select Utilities | Reindex Files and reindex the file in question, making sure the Delete records that contain errors check box is not selected.
4. Run the Data File Integrity Check program to determine if the error has been resolved. If the error persists, continue to the next step.
5. Select Utilities | Reindex Files and reindex the file in question with the Delete records that contain errors check box selected. Selecting this option instructs the program to delete the data records with rejected Key entries. It is possible, though, that records that contain valid data may be lost.

Note: If you suspect a file has Duplicate Keys, do not select the Compact Selected Files check box in Reindex Files. This option does not handle Duplicate Keys and will abort with error 1450-0-2-0.

The Reindex Files program copies deleted records to a file named "stct#.tmp" (where # is a number from 0 to 999). The name of the file is in the Reindex Error Report. However, this temporary file is a binary file and may or may not be of any use. Depending on which file the error occurred in, you may or may not be able to see usable information.

If Reindexing Does Not Work

If the above steps do not resolve the error, you have the following options:

• Restore from a backup made prior to the error occurring.
• Send the data to Software Technology, Inc. for analysis. Software Technology, Inc. may or may not be able to fix the data. There will be a charge for data analysis and/or repair.

Caution:  DO NOT ignore error 69s because Duplicate Keys can cause undesirable results such as reports printing with incorrect information.

REFERENCES

• KB Article R10686 - Using the Built-In Backup Program Without Overwriting an Existing Backup

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