Skip to main content
V
v.bug
Inspiring
October 27, 2019
Answered

Corrupt InDesign File. Error Code 4 (Database Error)

  • October 27, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 1840 views

Hey everyone, 

 

My hard drive disconnected for a split second - not long enough to eject, but it lost connection. Normally, if it ejects all the way, I'm able to reoopen whatever I was working on and wipe my brow free of worry. 

 

Well, since it didn't eject all the way, it seems the 102 page document I was working on got corrupted... I know, my fault for not making a backup. 

 

Is there anyway to recover this file? I've tried opening it as a copy, I've tried creating a copy and saving that copy as an IDML. I've tried starting InDesign with a fresh prefences file, I've tried starting InDesign with fresh Recovery Data. Just keep getting Error Code 4 and Database error.

 

I have to have this file ready for publication tomorrow, which doesn't really help. 😕😕

 

I'm on Mac OS 10.13.6.

 

{Renamed by MOD}

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer v.bug

UPDATE:

Last week, I asked the Adobe Corrupt File Recovery Department what error they were receiving, just in case it was something different from what I was seeing on my end. It turns out they weren't able to unzip the file. As soon as I sent the unzipped version over, they were able to recover the file as an IDML and sent it right back to me!! I was so excited, I nearly jumped out of my seat. When I had tried saving the file as an IDML, it just didn't go through on my end – but they got it to work and I was able to restore all 102. 

I couldn't be happier. 🙂 

 

Thanks again everybody for all of your help!

3 replies

V
v.bugAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
November 8, 2019

UPDATE:

Last week, I asked the Adobe Corrupt File Recovery Department what error they were receiving, just in case it was something different from what I was seeing on my end. It turns out they weren't able to unzip the file. As soon as I sent the unzipped version over, they were able to recover the file as an IDML and sent it right back to me!! I was so excited, I nearly jumped out of my seat. When I had tried saving the file as an IDML, it just didn't go through on my end – but they got it to work and I was able to restore all 102. 

I couldn't be happier. 🙂 

 

Thanks again everybody for all of your help!

    Jongware
    Community Expert
    JongwareCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 8, 2019

    Wow, you *really* got lucky there! Good job following up to narrow possible causes down.

     

    Just so nobody else falls for this: did you use any special zip software that they might not have been aware of? Did you explicitly state it's a zip file? (Possibly they weren't aware of it because of the file extension.)

    V
    v.bugAuthor
    Inspiring
    November 8, 2019

    I feel super lucky! 

     

    Not in particular. I'm on a Mac, so I just right clicked the file and hit "compress." The file was saved and compressed on my external hard drive (a WD Elements), but I'm not sure that would make a difference. I sent both the .zip and the .indd over through the Adobe Document cloud. I did say it was a .zip, but I also said that I could send over the unzipped version, if needed. Maybe that caused some confusion?

     

    In any case, I'm glad it worked out. Thank you for asking, that would be great info for others to know!! 🙂 

    Srishti Bali
    Srishti Bali
    Legend
    October 28, 2019

    Hi there,

     

    Sorry to hear about this. We can take a look and see if the file can be repaired. Please email your InDesign file to corrupt_indesign_docs@adobe.com and we will take a look at the document.

    I must also inform that file recovery can't be guaranteed with a 100% success. We'll surely try our best.  

     

    Regards,

    Srishti

    V
    v.bugAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 29, 2019

    Hello Srishti, 

     

    Thank you so much! I sent over the file on Sunday and they told me yesterday the document was too severly damaged to be recovered. 😞 If you wouldn't mind taking a look at it, I could send it to you, too. 

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    October 27, 2019

    Have you rebooted or are you still running the same failed InDesign session?

    V
    v.bugAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 27, 2019

    Hi! I've rebooted InDesign and my computer a few times since then, reconnected and disconnected the hard drive. I tried uploading the file to the Document Cloud and redownloading it – no luck. Tried downloading InDesign on another partition, downloading a new version from the Document Cloud, no luck. 😞 I'm now trying to use a tool called "EaseUs" to recover the file, maybe there's an older version in my hard drive Trashes that I could work with so I'm not starting again from scratch? Hopefully?

     

    I've also tried moving around the preferences and caches folders... Still error code 4. 😕😕 

     

    I keep seeing stuff about a Markzware being able to help people, but from what I've heard it's $50 to upload the file and $199 to download it back from them. 😕😕 

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2019

    Hi

     

    In addition to Markzware, you can sent the file to Adobe at this email address (free):
    corrupt_indesign_docs@adobe.com

    If the file is larger than 10 Mb, you can zip (and password protect) the file and upload to Creative Cloud account (or Dropbox) and email the document link.

     

    ~ Jane

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices