Corrupted Database File problem

[AdmiralSnackbar]

I host one campaign, and that's the game having the problem. (Character data is gone).

(I'm able to join other games in which I'm NOT hosting with no issues).


I can rename older session files (from 10/29/25) and the character data is present.

However, when I try to rename the most recent session dated 11/1, to a new db.xml file, that's where the problem is.

When I try to load the campaign, I get the attached error message.

I let the players work on their PCs, went to bed, (around 1230pm est), and the 11/1 session file is time stamped at 2:36 AM

I'm not sure if the PC did some automatic update or something at that off time of "2:36am".

Either way, are there any workarounds for this? or once a campaign file is corrupted, it's "game over"? for all the new data and changes we made since 10/29?

Thanks for the help in advance!

[Moon Wizard]

There's an invalid character in the XML file that is preventing it from loading. Something has changed the db.xml file outside of the standard loading/saving that FG does.

There is a backup made once each day that a session is opened; so worst case, the backups should get you back up and running with minimal loss of a session or less.

You can post your db.xml file from your campaign to see if there is something in there that can just be cleaned up; but usually a messed up file is missing data (due to truncation) or some other program modifying the data.

Regards,
JPG

[LordEntrails]

Do you have an automated backup occurring on your FG Data directory? Is it stored on a cloud hosted location or backed up to one? (like One Drive or Google Drive?)

[AdmiralSnackbar]

There's an invalid character in the XML file that is preventing it from loading. Something has changed the db.xml file outside of the standard loading/saving that FG does.

There is a backup made once each day that a session is opened; so worst case, the backups should get you back up and running with minimal loss of a session or less.

You can post your db.xml file from your campaign to see if there is something in there that can just be cleaned up; but usually a messed up file is missing data (due to truncation) or some other program modifying the data.

Regards,
JPG

Thanks for the information and I do apreciate your help in trying to "remote" fix it..

I was hoping a backup at the start of the session would be there, but it isn't.

I started the session around 7pm 10/31, but all I can find is the backup at 2:36 am 11/1 which leads me to believe My pc did some kind of backup/update at 2:36 which corrupted the file.

The good news is older dates work to restore the session, but all the new pcs are gone. So now i've (re-learned/remembered) to back up the campaign files in the future.

[AdmiralSnackbar]

No backups, but ill be doing that in the future, at least copy the campaign at start of session, and at end.. Couple clicks will help piece of mind at least...

[Nylanfs]

See the linked post in my sig for an automated backup batch file. Remember the 3-2-1 rule!

[Griogre]

Are you using English to run the game or another language? There are some character's that XML doesn't like. Alternatively there are some extensions that modify xml data and if they are inserting an invalid character, that could be the problem.

[Trenloe]

The error indicates an issue with the character at line 1, position 1 - this usually means the whole DB file has been corrupted - an issue while saving.

[drempel]

I had the exact same thing happen in mid october. I didn't open the xml file for any reason, just when I arrived at a game session, opened up my laptop, I had the same error message. Whole campaign was gone. Restarted FG, no more error message, but no more campaign still.

I improved the entire session (running an in-person game with some kids at a library with FG+laptop as my DM screen), and when I got home, I checked to see if the previous backups were still good, and they were. THe main DB file however was pretty much blank.

I use Google Drive to back up files, but I know I didn't actually touch any of the XML files. Something corrupted it. Just glad that there are backup sessions, so I didn't lose everything. But it's interesting that I've never had this problem with FG or heard of it in the years I've been using it, and here is another person having the same issue a couple of weeks later.

I have another PC that has FG installed that I use for hosting virtual games and it hasn't shown the same problem yet.

[LordEntrails]

I had the exact same thing happen in mid october. I didn't open the xml file for any reason, just when I arrived at a game session, opened up my laptop, I had the same error message. Whole campaign was gone. Restarted FG, no more error message, but no more campaign still.

I improved the entire session (running an in-person game with some kids at a library with FG+laptop as my DM screen), and when I got home, I checked to see if the previous backups were still good, and they were. THe main DB file however was pretty much blank.

I use Google Drive to back up files, but I know I didn't actually touch any of the XML files. Something corrupted it. Just glad that there are backup sessions, so I didn't lose everything. But it's interesting that I've never had this problem with FG or heard of it in the years I've been using it, and here is another person having the same issue a couple of weeks later.

I have another PC that has FG installed that I use for hosting virtual games and it hasn't shown the same problem yet.
Don't allow Google drive to backup while FG is running.either disa le it or manually backup FG