Question Database not a valid format

[Perissos]

I am hoping someone can give me direction on how to fix this.

I am creating an Access 2007 database. Every now and then I have to save the database to version 2003 in order for other people to use it.

Today, when I went to do the File, Save As to select the older version, the option wasn't there at all. Then I noticed all the menu structure was different. Not a big deal, this is a new laptop (Win7, Office 2010), maybe I clicked something and wasn't aware of it.

So I saved the db to a flash drive to put on my desktop (XP, Office 2007) to save backwards. When I went to open the database I got an error saying "Unrecognized Database format".

It opens fine on the laptop without any problems and its been working fine on a variety of other pc's until now. Do you know what might cause this?

 

[reddwarf]

"Unrecognized Database format". normally means it is corrupt. open it while holding down SHIFT and see if it will let you compact and repair it.

 

[Perissos]

It did not work.

But if it was corrupt, why would it allow me to still open it on the other machine?

 

[reddwarf]

it was probably corrupted in the on and off the USB stick process...have you tried re-copying it ?

simplist things first.....

 

[Perissos]

hee hee.. yes.. that was the first thing I tried. I also tried to a compact/repair and then re-copying it and it still doesn't want to cooperate.

I will be picking up a patch cable when the store opens to see if I can open the file that way. But I have to turn the DB over to the PM before the store will be open.

I guess the next thing for me to try is importing all the objects into a new database?

 

[reddwarf]

worth a shot....

save as 2000 format and try that ?

if your using Access 2010 though, isnt it saving in 2010 format ? you may need to save that as 07, then open that on 07 to save as 03.

does that help ?

 

[vbaInet]

So what is the extension of the "database" file as it is now? I think someone may have tampered with something.

 

[Perissos]

That is one of my problems, I only have one Save As option, it won't allow me to save as another version. The database is saved as a 2007 DB.

maybe I should try re-installing Access itself?

 

[Perissos]

The file extension is .accdb

 

[vbaInet]

Post your db and let's have a look.

 

[reddwarf]

Save a copy of an .accdb file in the .mdb file format

Versions of Access prior to Access 2007 use the .mdb file format by default. In Access 2010, you can convert an .accdb file to an .mdb file, but only if the .accdb file does not contain any features that require the .accdb file format to run. For more information about factors that can prevent you from converting an .accdb file to an .mdb file, see the next section.
Save a copy of an .accdb file in the .mdb file format

1. On the File tab, click Save & Publish.<LI sizset="5" sizcache="6">Under Save Database As, do one of the following:
   • To save a copy of the database in a format that can be opened by using Access 2002 or later, click Access 2002 - 2003 Database (*.mdb).
   • To save a copy of the database in a format that can be opened by using Access 2000 or later, click Access 2000 Database (*.mdb).
2. Click Save As.
   
   If the database contains any features that prevent you from saving it as an .mdb file, Access displays a message and prevents you from continuing. The next section outlines factors that can prevent saving as an .mdb file. You must address those factors before you can continue with this procedure.
3. In the Save As dialog box, in the File name box, type a name for the database file, and then click Save.

Access closes the original database and opens a new copy of the database in the format that you specified. Any changes that you make to the database affect only the new copy. To make changes to the original database, you must reopen the original database.
Note To convert an Access 2010 database to a file format that is compatible with Access 97 or earlier, you must first use Access 2010 to convert the database to the Access 2000 file format or the Access 2002 - 2003 file format. Then you use an earlier version of Access to convert the database to the format that you want. For example, by using the Convert Database command in Access 2003, you can convert an Access 2000 database or an Access 2002 - 2003 database to the Access 97 file format.

 

[Perissos]

ok...

to VbaInet, I have questions about putting db in the forum.

to RedDwarfs post. I will need to figure out why I couldn't get these file save options under the save database as option, but following the instructions you gave I got the following message. This was saving from 2007 to the 2002-2003 format.

You cannot save this database in an earlier version format, because it uses features that require the current file format.

These features include attachments, multi-valued fields, offline data, data macros, calculated columns, links to unsupported external files, newer sort orders, newer encryption types, and navigation controls.

At least half my problem is solved now. I kind of figured I would be running into issues developing in a newer version of Access and saving to an older version. But this will not explain the issue with being the same version. I still tried it, but got the same error "Unrecognized Database format".

lol.. at least I have an excuse to not turn the DB over to the PM at the moment..

Thanks guys.. gotta get over to the office now.

 

[reddwarf]

its a common problem - 2010 saves features into DB which are not available on older vserions. Therefore, 2010 will not let you save older versions. the only option you have is to get 2010 on your laptop and to your clients.

you may have to revert to a previous 03 version, export the data from the nest 2010 version to XL, the import into your 03 version and then not mess about with it again ! haha

 

[Perissos]

Just wanted to let you guys know. I created a fresh database, imported everything from the one I was having issues with and was able to save it as a 2007, 2003 and 2000 and it appears to be working ok now. On all machines, lol...

The only thing I will need to do is go through every single funtion to make sure I didn't miss importing something.

I have not been that close to panic mode in ages. It would be really nice to know what happened to cause that issue to start with. It turns out that it has been an issue for a couple of weeks on other machines, just no one bothered to tell me about it. I never noticed it until today because I have been doing all the code on the laptop which works fine, lol.... geez... I can't wait to see what happens next!

 

[vbaInet]

Great!!! Glad you got it working.

I can only reiterate reddwarf's point, avoid this practice of switching between versions.

 

[Perissos]

lol.. not my choice to make.

 

[Perissos]

Just wanted to give you all my newest lesson with this... it has nothing to do with the version.

I had made some updates the other day and realized I had not made a backup copy prior to making the changes.... Not a big deal, I thought. I did a File, Save Database As, changed the name so I would not loose my original...and poof... no one else could open it. That was saving as a 2007 DB.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

one way of avoiding this, is to develop in the lowest level of access, not the highest.

develop in A2003, and convert upwards - then there cant be any issues.

 

[Perissos]

No offense husky... but I was just letting everyone know that the version makes no difference. It still had issues- same version, just a different name.

 

[Perissos]

For anyone that is interested in solutions... I give kuddos to the Microsoft Technician.

There is a bug in 2010. It appears that if you change the formatting of a report in Office 2010 Access while in the layout view that it causes the issue that I have been having.

Microsoft is working to fix the issue. Until then I just need to make any and all formatting changes in design view and I am good to go!

Microsoft may have its issues, but they do have some people who truely desire to have a great product.

Ooooooh... and tidbit I learned In 2010 you can put formulas in the tables! But you probably already knew that, lol.

Ya'll have an awesome day!