Hi,
Here's a problem which everyone will say can't happen because a primary key is unique by definition (and I agree). Yet happen, it has!
I have a database that has been in use for six years now. It's a split design (each user has a local front end linked to the back end which is stored on a server). Just yesterday we noticed a record in one table has been duplicated in all respects, including its primary key. The original record is about three years old. Back up copies indicate that the duplication only occurred in the last three or four weeks. I've attached a snip of the table showing the duplication (record 649) and the design view showing the primary key field's properties.
We've tried:
1) running Compact and Repair to no avail; and
2) deleting one of the records, but this was not possible because of links to it from other tables.
As far as we can tell, there's nothing wrong with the code or db design and this is the first and last time it has happened. I can only guess that it's a result of a network glitch or simultaneous read/write, but this is just speculation.
Does anyone have any clues? Bottom line, though, is that we just want to delete the one of the duplicates. The only way i can think of is to make a note of all new records and recent changes in all tables, restore the most recent valid backup then manually rewrite the new records and changes. Is there a simpler way?
Thanks in advance
Al