system error: CDB() : can't open database file wallet.dat

[solomon]

Got this error while syncing bitcoin-qt

///
system error: CDB() : can't open database file wallet.dat
///

It then closes the client.

I restarted, same again.

Thought it may have been something to do with older version of software so i copied wallet and updated to 0.8.1. dl'd the whole blockchain again and errors again @ 99.9% complete.

Is it safe to just send the coins to a new wallet while these errors are occuring?

What is causing this? A corrupted wallet.dat or something else?

[solomon]

Ok i stuck an older version of my wallet in and it sync'd without error. Still my heart was in my mouth for a while! I assume that in a worst case scenario i would have been able to retrieve and export private keys to another wallet, even from a corrupt wallet.dat?

Back up your wallets.