Question Disabled Bypass Key - Password Recovery (Access 2003 .MDB database)

[double2]

I have inherited a database from a contractor which uses username and password functionality. I now need to add further users, which I am fairly comfortable in doing. However, the shift bypass key has been disabled and the form from which it can be reactivated is password protected. The problem is that we do not have this password and having contacted the designer he has conveniently forgotten it. What an ass.

In searching for the solution to my problem I have actually found the very tutorial used by the designer. I know it is the exact same code as he hasn’t actually changed any of the text in the password input or alert boxes - http://www.databasedev.co.uk/disable_shift_bypass.html (sorry to link outside of the forum but this tutorial includes all of the relevant code and screenshots)

I understand that software exists with the purpose of bypassing/retrieving database passwords, however as this is an internal user-created password system I am sure that these tools won’t work. Are there any tools for my particular situation or can anyone suggest the right direction I should be going with this?

 

[Scooterbug]

Looking at the provided code, have you tried to import the modules into a new database? It appears that the password is stored in the actual code. If you import the module into a db that isn't actually running the code, you should be able to peek in and find the password.

 

[double2]

Hi Scooterbug, thank you for your suggestion. How can I import a module in to another db? At the moment I am (as far as I am aware) unable to even view the code from this db as the designer has disabled all that he possibly can.

 

[Scooterbug]

Create a new database. Click on File --> Get External Data --> Import.
Navigate to the database in question (Most likely the Front End db). Go to Modules. From here, you can do one of two things. Import them all and go through them, or import one module at a time. To be on the safe side...I would do one module at a time. Then inspect each module to see if the matching code from the link you provided matches the code in the module.
You are looking for this line of code:

If strInput = "TypeYourBypassPasswordHere" Then

The word in quotes should be the password to allow you to reinable the shift key.

 

[double2]

Hi, I have just attempted that however the one and only module is greyed out and can't be selected. The rediculous thing is that with all these security measures in place I can still import the actual data it is supposed to be protecting!

Any ideas?

 

[Scooterbug]

Well, the other think you can do is with the new database, link to the tables in the 'protected' database. If you can find the table(s) that store the user information, you could enter the data from there.

Oh, and slap the developer while you are at it. My guess is if you offered him some cash he would 'suddenly' remember the password.

 

[double2]

Thanks for your help...I think I might take your advice in regards to slapping this guy - it looks like the security is there only to protect his code.

I will persevere in trying to get around the greyed out module imported (unless that would be a complete waste of time) as if I don't have the password I am only going to run up against further issues relating to it!

 

[Scooterbug]

Not a problem....worse case, you could import all the objects except the module and hope there aren't any functions/subs in there that are needed for the database to work.

Conversely, if you find the table that houses the user information, you could create a little db that you can use to add users.

 

[boblarson]

Not a problem....worse case, you could import all the objects except the module and hope there aren't any functions/subs in there that are needed for the database to work.

If there is any code on any of the forms or reports, it won't let you import those without the module password.

 

[brillig12]

Hi,

I work with Double2 and am also trying to get past the issues we are facing. Apart from the tables nothing can else can be imported from the original MDE database. There are only two forms and one module listed but they are all greyed out.

Are there any ways to get access to these items?

 

[Scooterbug]

Hmmm.....orginal post said that the database was a .MDB file....if it's a .mde file, then you wont be able to import anything. Making a database a MDE file effectively locks everything down. Not sure about the tables...those should be in a separate Back End database anyways. If not, and everybody is using the same database you are asking for trouble.

I would suggest talking to the orgininal developer. I'm sure he has a copy of the MDB file that the MDE file was created from.

 

[brillig12]

Thanks for that. Just found an MDB version in a back-up file. Tried to import the module but got a message "Microsfot helps protect this Visual Basic for Application Project with a password. You must supply the password in the Visual Basic Editor before you can perform this operation."

I have the visual basic editor open but cannot view or see the MDB database. Can you point me in the right direction?

 

[Scooterbug]

Well, according to Microsoft, you cannot recover lost or forgotten passwords:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HP030704231033.aspx

A quick google search for VBA password recovery displays results for commercial software that claims to be able to do that. Might want to check that out.

 

[brillig12]

I have a few ideas about what the VBA password may be, which gives me at least a little hope. I can't however find (basic problem as this may be) anywhere to input a password to gain access to the VBA. I appreciate all of your help so far and I am wondering if there is a way to get straight to a request for the VBA password so I can try my luck there. Any ideas?

 

[boblarson]

I can't however find (basic problem as this may be) anywhere to input a password to gain access to the VBA.

Open the VBA Window and

1. Go to VIEW > PROJECT EXPLORER

to make sure the explorer is up.

2. Double click on the project name of your database in that window. It should give you the password input.

 

[brillig12]

I am possibly be a alittle slow but the MDB database I want to try to access does not show in the project explorer in the vba window.

Give that I am unable to gain access to the design mode of the MDB file in question I have another database open which I used to open the VBA editor.

Are there other ways I can try?

 

[boblarson]

Are there other ways I can try?

Open the database so that you have the database window available to you. Go to VIEW > CODE on the menu.

 

[Scooterbug]

Im guessing that they cant get to the database window because of the code that disables the shift button when opening up the MDB file. Is that correct?

 

[brillig12]

I am only able to get to the main database screens, where I have only six menus (File, Edit, Insert, Records, Window, Help) none of which have an a view code option. Does that make this more difficult to do?

 

[Scooterbug]

Can you post the database? You can strip out the actual data by doing the following:

1. Make a copy of the database.
2. Open a new database and link to the tables in the copied database.
3. Delete all the records through the new database