Access 2003 won't open Access 2000 database

[Paul Fenton]

We have a new workstation running XP Pro and Office XP (Access 2003).
We installed the front end of a database that's been operating for
years on 98, 2000, etc on this workstation, but when we try to open
the front end on the workstation, we get this error message:

"Warning! Unsafe expressions are not blocked..."

If we bypass the warning and continue, the db opens to the main menu
(built with menu builder) but immediately errors out with a message
about "unauthorized to execute this code..." or something similar.

What is the solution for this? I'm well aware that older Access apps
should run just fine under XP.


Paul Fenton
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Allen Browne]

Paul, this is a ridiculous "feature" in Access 2003 that prevents it from
running *any* database that contains any code, macro, action query, etc.
Additionally many VBA functions are crippled.

There are 2 ways to deal with the nonsense:
1. Buy a certificate, and keep paying out each year to keep it up to date.
(If you are an individual, you can't even do that.)

2. Set the macro security to Low in A2003, under Tools | Macro | Security.
You may have to reset your menus to get this item to show up.

Additionally, run a search at support.microsoft.com for "sandbox" in Access
to learn how to turn that off as well.