Database Engine -39

[jdien]

Anyone know what Database Engine Error -39 means? I have a BookEnds database on my desk computer that works fine. I move it to my laptop and I get this error and it refuses to open up (BTW, I have two licenses). I connect up with my desktop over the network and open up that copy remotely and it works fine. So it's not the copy of Bookends on my laptop. Are Bookends databases simply not portable? That would be a problem. It's worked for me in the past though. I'm running OS X 10.4.6 and BookEnds 9.0.4.

I also tried showing my grad student how to make a BookEnds database with just 6 entries and ran into this too. She ended up going to Endnote alas.

Thanks!

Joe

[Jon]

Hi Joe,

A -39 error is

-39 eofErr End of file; no additional data in the format

It indicates a badly damaged db. My guess is that your database is fine (I assume it verifies). It is likely, therefore, to be the format you are using that is damaged. Try another and see if the problem goes away. If it does not, please contact me directly.

Jon
Sonny Software

[jdien]

Hi Jon!
What do you mean by change the format?

Thanks!

Joe

[Jon]

Change it from, say, APA 5th to Chicago A 15th. My guess is that will get rid of the error, but let's see...

Jon
Sonny Software

[jdien]

I changed the default format as you suggested and then tried to open the database but it didn't help. I also tried copying the formats folder from Application Support from my desktop, where it is working fine, but that didn't help either. As soon as I try to open the database I get the error. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Joe

[Jon]

Bookends 9 Preferences? Try removing that and relaunching (you'll need your serial number again).

Jon
Sonny Software

[jdien]

I deleted the preferences but it still doesn't help. I tried both of my serial numbers but no go. I made a tiny test file with just one reference on my laptop and it did open on my desktop and I also made on on my desktop and it did open on my laptop. It appears to be some sort of interaction between my database, the computer it's on, and the computer opening it.

[Jon]

Try this:

1. Export all your references from the db as a "Bookends" file.
2. Make a fresh db.
3. Import those references.

Now?

Jon
Sonny Software

[jdien]

Yes, that did it! Do you want me to send you the file for troubleshooting purposes?

Cheers!

Joe

[Jon]

You can do that (zipped, please), but if it opened on one computer it's probably just fine. But I'll take a look.

Glad the problem is fixed now.

Jon
Sonny Software