What Are the Signs and Causes of NI-MAX Database File Corruption?

Issue Details

NI-MAX database file corruption often happen in my system. Resetting NI-MAX database file usually resolves the issue, but what are the signs and causes of NI-MAX database file corruption? 

Solution

 NI-MAX database corruption possible signs

The MAX Database corruption can result in several scenarios, some of which are:

• Cannot export custom scales in the NI-MAX export configuration wizard.
• Not able to create simulated NI-DAQmx Devices in NI MAX, the Simulated NI-DAQmx Device or Modular Instrument does not appear in NI-MAX device and interface's new device creation window despite having DAQmx driver installed.

• Clicking on the ▷ sign for a folder in NI-MAX and instead of expanding, the sign disappears.
• The DAQ device shows up in Windows device manager and NI-MAX. However, it is not possible to click on Self-Test (self-test is grayed out).
• NI SCOPE Card Fails Self-Test .
• Error -88705 or 80040383 with DAQmx or GPIB Device in NI-MAX.
• Database Connection Error in NI-MAX.
• An unexpected internal warning error when opening NI-MAX.

 
NI-MAX Database corruption possible causes

As mentioned in the links above some root causes can be related to services (not running or a timeout if the host OS takes a long time to boot), firewalls, internet security programs, a combination of different drivers' versions, and corruption of the driver itself during the installation process. The signs might not be visible but those are aspects to check during the troubleshooting process. below are additional causes of NI-MAX Database corruption.

• The system reboots without being properly shut down due to a power loss.

• System crash.
• NI Configuration Manager and NI Device Loader service are not running.
• Having a FieldDAQ device in your NI MAX configuration during an upgrade to DAQmx 18.0 or 18.1

Additionally, access to and thus update of NI MAX database might happen when you start or shutdown your computer, edit device setting or perform device calibration on NI-MAX, take measurements or programmatically perform operations that may change the contents of the MAX database file. Failure updating NI-MAX database during all these processes can lead to a database corruption.