Unable compact database / decryption problem

[AndyHumpherson]

Hello all,

I have a database in Access 2010 that I encrypted with a password - local authority policy I'm afraid as it contains personal info...

I had set the database to compact on close, which worked for a bit, then I've recently been asked to enter the database password when closing the db. I'm sure I'm entering the password correctly (as I can get into the damn thing) but it comes up with an 'Invalid Password' box, and significantly, doesn't compact the database.

I've tried decrypting the database by opening the db exclusively, and going to file / info but no decrypt button appears - just the encrypt button.

Its not a problem at the moment as the database is quite small but I can see this becoming a problem in the near future...

help!

 

[billmeye]

You might have database corruption. If so, make a copy and try decompiling:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\yourdatabase.accdb" /decompile

You can decompile an encrypted DB.

Unless you are deleting and recreating large number of rows in tables during normal use, there really is no advantage to compact on close, in fact, Access keeps track of queries and such by keeping temp info that if it does not change, Access uses and actually speeds up operation. The only time you should really need to compact is after large design changes.

 

[AndyHumpherson]

Hi Billmeye

Thanks for that suggestion, i've tried opening the database with that command line switch and nothing seems to happen, it asks me for the database password as usual and doesn't allow me to remove the password...

 

[billmeye]

See if you can import everything into a clean DB and start over. Get rid of the compact on close.