MDW file linked to MDB?

[AC5FF]

All

I have a problem opening up a MDB file. It tells me I do not have permissions to open the object/must get admin or db creator to give rights.

The problem is - there should be no such security on this MDB file. I did find a file called 'secured.mdw' in the same directory. Searching through the web and here from what I have been able to gather is that this file stores passwords for access?

There is currently NO one that is able to open this MDB file. Everyone gets the same error. So, again from reading other websites, I am curious if the MDB file is not linked correctly to the MDW file? Is that a possible solution?
1) If it is, is there a way I can re-link them? Since I can't open the MDB file - how?
2) ANY other ideas on what I can do to bypass this error? I get it regardless of how the MDB file is accessed. (clicked, shift-click, or import from)

Thank You

 

[RainLover]

In C:\Windows\System32 You should be able to find a File system.mdw. If not do a search to find it.

Then create a shortcut to open the mdb file, using that system.mdw file

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\MyFolder\MyFile.mdb" /WRKGRP "C:\Windows\System32\System.mdw"

If this works let me know and I will show you how to fix this permanently. That is without a shortcut.

 

[AC5FF]

Ned
Thank you - maybe we're getting somewhere here.
First off - I searched my System32 directory for the MDW file - none there. So I searched the whole HD and have none. (I was searching for *.mdw)
I had the DB owner search and he did find a MDW file. He sent that to me. I put it into the same DIR as the MDB file and typed the shortcut link as required.

Now, when I click the shortcut Access opens and Login box opens. It has my name automatically filled in for the Name field - but i don't have any passwords that will work (neither does the original owner).

You think this is progress or am I barking up a dead tree??

 

[Pat Hartman]

If the database was secured when the user got it, he needs to find/recover the .mdw that came with the app. If it is lost, there are services that will "crack" the database and retrieve your data for a price as long as you have some proof that you are the legal owner.

 

[AC5FF]

I got the MDW that was with the original DB. That's what I used to get to my last post.

 

[RainLover]

Try using Admin as the user name with no password.

If the file is small enough post it here and I will try to crack it for you.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

why do you think there is no security

did you buy this product, or make it yourself? have you used it before?

 

[AC5FF]

Rainlover - Admin w/no password does not work. The file is 19Meg; and I'm not sure I can post it due to the information possibly contained.

Gemma - I don't believe there is security because I run basically the same DB here and there is none. The product was not purchased - it was created 10+ years ago and been used/modified/etc since then by everyone that has sat in the seat I now occupy. Basically it's a tracking DB that contains all parts that we work on - what's done to them - dates/times/etc etc. My copy here has been working great for ages. However the one I'm trying to get back up in running went down hard in November.

This leads me to believe a couple of things could have happened. First - the guy managing it moved locations in Nov - Possibly disgruntaled employee?? - and he wrote some code into the DB that triggered after he left? Second - when their DB wasn't working correctly I sent them a copy of mine for them to use. If they imported data incorrectly that possibly corrupted this file.

I'm still trying to get a copy of their last known GOOD backup to go through it, but they've not sent me anything further other than the MDB and MDW file located in the same directory...

 

[The_Doc_Man]

OK, the MDB is not linked to the MDW file in the formal sense.

You have to join a workgroup (as embodied in the MDW file) in order to get the information used to lock that database. If the database really was not secured originally, then it is possible that the default workgroup would let you in - if you had one. This is created from the workgroup administrator program. Search this forum to find the various locations where you can use that program. On older systems it is in the WIN32 folder.

When you join a workgroup, the last workgroup you actually joined is stored in your machine's registry. If you've never joined a workgroup, this registry key CAN be blank. And probably is, from your description.

If you have a .MDW file, you can open it as a database. MAKE A COPY OF IT FIRST!!!!!! When you open the file, it looks blank because all tables in it are system tables (owned by the Admin account and prefaced by mSys). Using the Tools >> View path, have it show you the contents of the MSysAccount table. You will be able to see the registered names. If more than five, the database in question has been secured and those named users have access. The five entries in a "virgin" MDW are admin (a specific user name), Admins (a group name), Creator (identifies who build the MDW), Engine (allows the database engine to enforce a DB-wide password), and Users (a group name.) Field FGroup will be 0 (user account) or -1 (group identifier). Access, when opening an MDW this way, obscures the password and SID information intentionally.

If you see a minimum MDW, you can regenerate one and try it. If the user who gave you the MDW is correct (that the MDW goes with the database), you will see more than the minimum five names and will have to try to crack it using suggestions noted in this thread from other posters.

 

[AC5FF]

Doc Man...
Thanks - I'll have to give this a try..
IF i can find the darn TOOLS menu!! They (IT Office) switched us all over to Office2007 and I am still trying to find menus!