Locked DB?

[AC5FF]

I was asked to fix some problems with a DB; buttons not working; showing 'No Records' on certain actions, etc... Should be pretty easy to fix.

However, when I open the DB (I am using Access 2007) instead of having the toolbars up top, all I get is the "HOME" bar and just about everything is dimmed out. If I press F11 to bring up the navigation bar it opens minimized and is dimmed out and will not expand.

Has me wondering if there is some type of security on the file. If there is, i cannot even see how to enter it; let alone what it would be (The DB was created YEARS ago, and the people that created it are long gone).

Any ideas how I can get into the DB to fix it?

 

[neileg]

It's not an MDE by any chance?

 

[AC5FF]

nope.
MDB
Not that I fully understand the difference

I should have added. If I press the Office button (not sure what it is called in Office2007) at the top left corner, normally that gives you all the file/print/etc menu. When I do that in this DB all it gives me is an option to close. Not sure if that tidbit is helpful or not, but thought I would add it.

 

[Extra_Cover]

Try holding down the shift key when you open the Database, this overrides the 'Startup' settings which may have been set not to show the database window etc.

If that doesn't work open a blank database. In Tables select New - Import Table and import all tables/forms from the corrupted database in to the new database.

Good luck.

 

[AC5FF]

Thank You!
Unfortunatly I just got home from work. I will have to try this tonight.
I did find a computer at work with Access2003 and I would get the same problem. At least I found out it wasn't a 2007 problem.
Hopefully this will work. I'll post tonight regardless and let ya know how it went.

 

[boblarson]

You might need this:
http://www.mvps.org/access/general/gen0040.htm

to enable the bypass.

 

[AC5FF]

Thanks All

Holding down the shift key worked. I was able to get into the DB structure and fix the problem. Turned out one of the forms was corrupted. I quickly rebuilt it and all is good again.

I still can't figure out where/why when it opens everything is locked. I looked through the properties and all the VB code and nothing is catching my eye. Guess it's a mute point now

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Extra_Cover]

After opening the DB while holding down the shift key select Tools - Startup. The 'Display Database Window' option will not be ticked. If you tick it then you will have access to tables etc when the DB is opened. A handy function that keeps pesky users away from all your hard thought out design.

 

[AC5FF]

That's an Access2003 function isn't it? Not seeing that with 2008...

 

[boblarson]

That's an Access2003 function isn't it?

Nope that is available in all versions from 2000 to 2007.

Not seeing that with 2008...

2007 is the latest Access version.

 

[AC5FF]

i'm an idiot... sometimes my fingers work faster than my brain...

I got it all to work... Thanks all!

 

[AC5FF]

Readdressing this semi-same issue...

I was given another DB to repair.. This time these options did not work. Every time I try to open things (Holding shift or not) I get an error: "You do not have the necessary permissions to use C:\............. .mdb object. Have your administrator or database ......"

I tried to open a new database and import the tables/data and I get the same error.

Any ideas?

 

[AC5FF]

You might need this:
http://www.mvps.org/access/general/gen0040.htm

to enable the bypass.

Bob
I never did look up this link last time since the shift trick worked.
I did however just read through that page; but not sure how it could/would help me in this situation. The way I read it is like I have to be inside the DB to modify the VBA? but if I can't even open the file i'm not sure what to do.
(Doubt I would know what to do with this even IF i could open it! )