Applies To
Express Software Manager version 6.0 and higher

Summary
This technical note explains how to repair and maintain the integrity of Express libraries. The procedures involve running the Express Repair utility.

Preventing Library Corruption
To prevent corruption of an Express library, follow the recommendations in Technical Note 1561.

Warning
Never use End Task to close Express. If an Express database operation is taking a long time or if Express Administrative Console is not responding, do not end the task. The library will corrupt if End Task is initiated during any Express Administrative Console or library update operation.

Some Express database operations (including opening a library, running an update, or running a report, running a library repair) may take several hours to complete -- particularly when performed across a WAN. Unfortunately, Express Software Manager may not give a visual indication that it is still active, and the progress bar may appear to be stalled.

Note: For suggestions on how to avoid performing such library operations across WAN or busy links, see Technical Note 1555.

Instead of pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del to open the Windows Task Manager, look in the Event Viewer to check whether the Express procedure is active. The Event Viewer itself may update slowly, so refrain from ending the task. To reduce the waiting time, increase the RAM and upgrade the processor speed on the computer that runs Express Administrative Console. You could also increase the RAM and processor speed of the server.

Repairing a Corrupt Library
Application libraries are repaired automatically, every time you update the database. As a result, you rarely need to repair a library as a separate step. You can repair libraries in a separate step by using the Tools menu option in Express Administrative Console. Click Library and then Repair from the Tools menu to repair the currently active library.

Note: If a library cannot be opened, run Exrepair.exe (located in the \Program Files\Express Metrix\ESM\Express Console folder) and repair the library before trying again to open it in Administrative Console.

Troubleshooting
If the repair does not succeed, troubleshoot the problem using the following information.

Locked Library Files
Library corruption can occur when many clients attempt to open a shared file that is locked by another workstation. Look in the Express.log file to see errors related to the locked file and file corruption.

If the library is located on a Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 server, be sure to disable Oplock. Follow the procedures in Technical Note 1316.

If the library is located on a Novell server, you can use the Novell administrative tool, WhoHasIt, to identify which workstation has a file locked. This tool is available for a fee at http://statsware.ackind.net/whohasit/index.html.

Automating the Library Maintenance Procedures
You can use the Express Library Manager service to automate the procedures that prevent library corruption. Follow the procedures and samples below.

Install Express Library Manager
Install the Express Library Manager service on each Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 server or Windows XP workstation that hosts a library. (The service runs only on Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, or Windows XP.)

To install Express Library Manager:

1. Run Setup.exe from your Express Software Manager product CD.

If you downloaded Express Software Manager from the web, run Esm620.exe.

2. Select an Administrator Setup type.

3. On the Custom Setup dialog box, select Express Library Manager from the Express Enterprise Services option.

4. Follow the online help for detailed installation instructions.

1. In Express Administrative Console, open the library you want to schedule, and click Library Manager Properties from the File menu.

2. Enter the machine name where the Express Library Manager service is installed. Click OK.

3. Select the check box for Manager work enabled.

4. Select the check box to Update children and Synchronize data every <week>.

5. Click the Options button, which opens the Managed Children tab in Library Properties.

6. If selected, clear the check box to Update child databases before synchronization.

Related Technical Notes

1334	Repairing an Express 4.5 Library
9989	Express Software Manager 6.x Technical Notes