Ready to throw my PC out of the window

[Emelli]

This is the first time i've used Access to set up a database so I'm hoping people with more experience can help me.
I'd done all the work of setting up and was securing the database ready to share with the other users. On the advice of the 'help' book I'm using I took away all the menus and toolbars etc to stop the data users from fiddling with stuff. I foolishly thought that as the creator and administrator of the database I would be able to retrieve them if I needed to.
Now there's something I need to change in the design of one of the tables and the <insert swearword here> thing won't let me at any of the menus. I tried using the Microsoft 'help' but the suggestion started with the phrase 'from the Tools menu...' - I can't get at the Tools menu, that's the problem!

Does anyone know how I can get my menus back? Otherwise I face the possibility of having to start again, at which point I would lose the will to live
Thanks
Emelli

 

[ColinEssex]

Presumably you've tried logging in holding down the shift key and pressing return?

Col

 

[Mile-O]

Maybe you should throw the book out the window. Or yourself. It doesn't appear that the computer is to blame...this time.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

It's a good idea, it's a very good idea to make a backup copy of your database every day, or more regularly if you have made significant time consuming changes.

Not only can you fall into the trap you have found, but access is notorious for crashing unexpectedly leaving you with an application that you cannot open.

 

[Mike375]

One think you might try is Restore which on Win XP is

Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Restore

It is easy to go through and it restores the computer to a day in the past that you nominate. I have never tried it on Access but it works on Word, Internet Explorer and heaps of other things.

So you would you pick a day before you altered the menus.

Mike

 

[maxmangion]

I think a System Restore is an overkill task for such a thing. Moreover, System Restore does not deal with data files, therefore i doubt it, if it would solve the problem.

 

[Mike375]

I think a System Restore is an overkill task for such a thing. Moreover, System Restore does not deal with data files, therefore i doubt it, if it would solve the problem.

I was assuming that he was talking about the Access tool bars.

For my information when you say System Restore is overkill are there some negatives associated with using it since it is only a few minutes to run.

Mike

 

[IP076]

Just an idea from a newbie...

I've ran into this situation before, but with small apps, so I dont know how it will work for you.

I created a new file, and went to the Import menu and imported, well, everything.

Dont remember if I was using the security feature or not, but it might be worth a shot.

 

[maxmangion]

I was assuming that he was talking about the Access tool bars.

I think the missing toolbar(s) are only in the database in quesition and not in msaccess.exe

For my information when you say System Restore is overkill are there some negatives associated with using it since it is only a few minutes to run.

For example, one thing which comes to mind at the moment is that any software installed after the date chosen of the system restore, will need to be re-installed again.

the following are also some points taken from a website:

System Restore will put all the files back in its original location. One of the big disadvantages is, if you had a virus on your system when your files were deleted, System Restore will cause the virus to return. Corrupted files will also put placed in their location if you use System Restore tools.

 

[Mike375]

For example, one thing which comes to mind at the moment is that any software installed after the date chosen of the system restore, will need to be re-installed again.

Actually I had the first time I did and thought all had gone bad

System Restore will put all the files back in its original location. One of the big disadvantages is, if you had a virus on your system when your files were deleted, System Restore will cause the virus to return. Corrupted files will also put placed in their location if you use System Restore tools.

I have used to the reverse. In fact just a few days something invaded the computer that resulted in what look like a DOS sceen open for a few seconds when the computer started and then the the computer went mad when I opened iternet. But Restore save my day.

Mike

 

[Emelli]

Hurrah!

Just an idea from a newbie...

I've ran into this situation before, but with small apps, so I dont know how it will work for you.

I created a new file, and went to the Import menu and imported, well, everything.

Dont remember if I was using the security feature or not, but it might be worth a shot.

Newbie or not - it worked! Thanks for your help and I shall be very carefully backing up before I try anything like that again!
Cheers

 

[Mile-O]

And you couldn't just have held down shift to open the database and then, once opened, change the Startup settings back?