Access won't open!

[RTC]

Been using Office 2003 since it came out without a glitch. Yesterday one of our users is getting some strange errors when trying to run Access. Error:

Microsoft Office Access
Workgroup Administrator couldn't create the workgroup information file. Make sure that you have specified a valid path and file name, that you have adequate permissions to create the file (-3100).

You click ok and then it comes up:

Microsoft Office Access couldn't find the file ' - nonsense - ' This file is required for startup.

The 'nonsense' bit looks like some jumbled up characters - square and chinese characters.

Doesn't happen on Word, Excel etc - only Access, and on every file opened (including the Northwind database).
Have completely uninstalled and reinstalled Office 2003 several times, same thing. He's an administrator of the machine and has been using Access for months on this pc without a glitch.

 

[WayneRyan]

RTC,

When you open Access, one very important thing must happen. In the
location where the database is, Access must open (create) a .ldb file.
It uses this file to track who is using the database.

If you don't have read/write capability for the appropriate location, you
won't be able to run access.

For the same reason, access (for the most part) can't be run directly from
a CD.

Wayne

 

[RTC]

Thanks, but don't think that's the issue - it's been working perfectly for months, then all of a sudden this comes up - no change to any settings or the computer. The folder the databases are in has full rights to the user. Also the Northwind db that comes with access gives the same error.

 

[WayneRyan]

RTC,

For the other Apps (Excel, Word), the only disk writing activity is probably
in MyDocuments. Any user should have no trouble there.

For Access, if it was one database, I'd Compact/Repair it. But since it is
ALL access apps. I'd still very carefully look at where the user has the
ability to create files. It really sounds like Access can't open its
record-locking file.

As a test, can this user run an Access database that's located out on
the network (where they can read/write)? And can they put a Notepad
document beside the database they are having trouble with.

Just some thoughts ...

Wayne

 

[RTC]

Thanks Wayne - tested on a network db and still same error messages, and yes they can put a notepad file in the same folder. Everyone else has exact same databases and computers - no problems, and nothing's changed on his pc or setup and it's been working fine until now. Even with several uninstall / reinstalls of Office 2003 it's still doing it. Very odd.

 

[WayneRyan]

RTC,

Got me ... !!!???

Can he open a New, blank database on his machine, other than in
MyDocuments?

Wayne

 

[RTC]

nope, tried that also. VERY reluctant to reinstall windows - he's got so much stuff on there. Must be a solution?

 

[WayneRyan]

RTC,

Just reread this whole thread.

"Workgroup Administrator couldn't create the workgroup information file" !!!

He's turned on Access Security (and it's very sick). This is out of my
domain. The error isn't that Access can't open the .ldb (record locking)
file ... It can't find SYSTEM.mdw (or whatever it was called when activated).

I don't use Access security, but I'll bet that's where your problem is.

You can use Search here and look for "security" and you'll get some
hits, and there's probably a link to Microsoft's dissertation on it.

Anyway, at least this will sift you back to the top of the list. Maybe
one of our Security folks can help out here.

Wayne

 

[WayneRyan]

RTC,

Maybe these will help:

http://www.mcse.ms/message781754.html

http://www.usenetarchive.org/Dir7/File472.html

Wayne

 

[Bosch]

Here is the answer for this issue.I know it was very old thread..but still it might be useful to someone who is searching the forum..

http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?id=317708