I Cannot Open My Front End Access File

[zyousafi]

I was successfully using a front end and back end setup for the past two years. Today I needed to push through some changes and "deactivate" the previous back end database and setup a new back end database. The new back end database has been sent; however the front end is not recognizing the back end database anymore. I need to re-link the existing front end to the back end database - I cannot import the front end into a "fresh" file because I put a password on the VBA Editor. Please help. This system was used by more than 180 concurrent users for their attendance.

 

[pr2-eugin]

Why do you not use the Linked table manager and look for the new location and refresh it?? Or delete all the current links and use the Import to link them to the new location?

 

[zyousafi]

I cannot use the "Linked Table Manager" because the front-end file will not open - is there way to access the "Linked Table Manager" without actually opening the front-end file? How can I delete the links if the front-end file will not open? I also tried to import the "objects" (i.e. forms, queries, reports, macros, etc.,) from my front-end file to a "fresh" file but that didn't work either because I have put a password on the VBA Editor in the front-end file.

 

[pr2-eugin]

Is there a macro that prevents from accessing the other components of the front end that you are aware of..?? Try holding the SHIFT Key while you try to open the Front end file.. then try to access the linked table manager..

I am not ENTIERLY sure, but my understanding is that VBA password will actually NOT afect the Form opening.. as the VBA password you provided locks the VBA code from being copied/viewed..

 

[zyousafi]

I have tried opening the file while holding the SHIFT key but that didn't work - the same thing happens. The standard Microsoft Access page opens - the page you open when you open the application without opening a specific file.

I thought that as well about the VBA password, but I am attaching a screenshot for your easy reference. I don't want to lose those objects. I have put a lot of time and effort into developing them.

 

[GinaWhipp]

You would need to put some code in your front end to refresh the links, see...

http://www.dbforums.com/microsoft-access/1604990-code-refresh-links.html

 

[zyousafi]

GinaWhipp that is a great suggestion and I would love to get to the part of the file where I could access the VBA Editor but the entire problem I am facing is that the front-end file is not opening properly. I have attached a screenshot of the screen that opens when I attempt to open the front-end file. How can I overcome this?

 

[Bryan]

What is it exactly that happens when you try to open the database? How are you trying to open it, by starting Access first, or from a shortcut to the db?

 

[zyousafi]

Bryan I am trying to open the front-end file by double clicking the front-end file itself - I also have a MDE file for this particular front-end and that is giving the same error. What exactly happens is that Microsoft Access opens but the file itself does not - it just brings me to the Microsoft Access startup page as per the attached screenshot. I hope that helps "recreate" exactly what I am doing.

 

[Bryan]

Have you tried starting Access and then doing a File, Open?

Also, can you temporarily move the new back end and put the old back end back where it originally was?

 

[zyousafi]

I just tried the "File Open" option and that didn't work either. The other option you mentioned, about moving the back-end, I already tried that and for some reason it isn't connecting. I never moved the back-end in the first place, I actually changed the file name of the back-end and even after changing it back it is not working properly.

 

[boblarson]

I have tried opening the file while holding the SHIFT key but that didn't work - the same thing happens. The standard Microsoft Access page opens - the page you open when you open the application without opening a specific file.

Sounds to me like you didn't hold the shift key down until the database fully opened. You don't just hold it down and double click to open and let up on the shift key. You have to keep it down until it has fully opened.

The best way is to right click on the file and select OPEN while holding the shift key down (again, remembering to keep it down completely until the database has loaded).

If you have disabled the Shift Bypass Key by using code, so that the shift key doesn't work, you would need to run the Enable Bypass Key code (do a Google Search for that one).

 

[GinaWhipp]

GinaWhipp that is a great suggestion and I would love to get to the part of the file where I could access the VBA Editor but the entire problem I am facing is that the front-end file is not opening properly. I have attached a screenshot of the screen that opens when I attempt to open the front-end file. How can I overcome this?

In order to that bit of code you will have to open as Bob suggested and then add the code to a module. Have you been successful in getting the databse open?

 

[zyousafi]

Bob I tried doing it exactly as you suggested but I am having no luck. I had already tried the SHIFT key but I was letting up on it before. This time I held the SHIFT key down for a couple of minutes even after the file opened - I know that was excessive but I am getting a little desperate now.

GinaWhipp I have been unable to get the database itself open - I have read about a lot of suggestions on the internet. A few suggestions I have gotten from this forum, but the problem is that these suggestions would only help once the database itself is open. Perhaps, once the database is open, even the Linked Table Manager would help. Would it help if I posted the file here?

 

[GinaWhipp]

You can post it here and I will try to get it open. (It must be open to do *anything* to it.)

 

[zyousafi]

What do you mean it must be open to do *anything* to it? I just want to recover my forms.

 

[GinaWhipp]

Don't you want to add the relinking code to it so you can relink to the back end? Once you add that there will be no need to import the forms anywhere. You can just plop in a new front end.

 

[zyousafi]

I would love to do that. How can I enter code in the VBA editor when I can't even open the file itself?

 

[boblarson]

As I wrote before, if you have tried to hold shift down and it doesn't work if you continue to hold it down as it opens, then the Disable Shift Bypass Key has probably been set and you will need this (you will need to create a username on that site but it will be worth it for the download):

http://www.utteraccess.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=48&Number=233728

 

[GinaWhipp]

I would love to do that. How can I enter code in the VBA editor when I can't even open the file itself?

That is what I was going to try to do... You do know the password you entered right? OR, I see Bob has provided an option as you are saying the Shift Key does not work.