Access 97 conversion rejection

[Rick]

I've read all the other postings and have gone to the
Microsoft website for help - nothing works.

Simple problem - developed a simple database in Access 97
and Access 2003 refuses to open, covert, do anything with
it. Always get the same error; `Cannot open a database
created with a previous version of your application'.

Only Microsoft would develop a software package that is
incompatible with previous versions of itself.

Can anyone help me in getting this to work? Any easy
conversion utilities or steps to take?

Assistance much appreciated.

Rick

 

[GVaught]

Are you double clicking on the database to open within 2003? If so, try
opening 2003 first to a blank window and then pick to convert from the Tool
bar. Sometime this happens with previous versions and I just open the
application first and then conversion goes well.

If that doesn't work. Use 97 to compact and repair the database and try
again.

 

[Rick]

I have tried both ways of opening it, but not converting
the database in Access 97. The systems tech here assured
me that 2003 would open the 97 database before he
overwrote it on all computers. When I confronted him with
this issue, his response was `Huh - didn't know that'.
Well, he DID get to know what I thought of the
blunder....

Anyways - I'll try to find an older unit that MAY still
have Access 97 on it and see what this will do. I also
downloaded the NEW Access conversion utility from MS (52
mb) at this address;
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?
FamilyId=2E861E76-5D89-450A-B977-
980A9841111E&displaylang=en

Didn't work either - same %^#&^% error! Cannot open
database from a previous version! X!%$ :0( !!!

Sorry - can't help it... thanks for your help!
Appreciated!

Rick

 

[Guest]

Ok - found an older machine with Access 97 on it.
Compacted and repaired and tried opening in MS Access
2003. same problem. Tried saving as other various formats -
.csv, .txt, .dbf. Not working. Saved as an EXCEL
document and tried opening - opens but not able to convert
EXCEL document to a database.

So - any other suggestions?

Rick

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

it. Always get the same error; `Cannot open a database

created with a previous version of your application'.

Either a corrupt database, or an Access 2.0 database.
Import all the objects, or get the Access 2.0 conversion
Hotfix from MS, or copy the conversion files from A2002.

(david)

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

open a new Access 2003 database, and import the
objects from the A97 database into it. Or, if
you want, import the Excel document.

(david)

 

[GVaught]

Really strange that everything seems to 'cough' with Access 2003. I would
try installing Office/Access 2003 again to the machines. Maybe something got
corrupted during installation, especially if it was installed from the
network. If you do install again to your machine, install locally, install
everything, don't use typical, as this usually eliminates converters and
wizards. This may be the reason Excel is erroring out.

Something that could have happened to this database is if someone
accidentally or on purpose opened the MDB file within an application such as
Word. This will permanently corrupt the database. I am not sure after doing
this if it is recoverable. I believe their is a Microsoft Knowledge base
article on this, but I can't remember if it has a fix.

 

[Guest]

If I see the systems tech here again, I'll get him to re-
install... I don't have `access' to the program.... ;0\

I downloaded the new MS Conversion Toolkit they put out
(52 Mb) and it ALSO gives me same errors... I've tried
everything pretty much - exporting objects... if database
IS corrupted, it is opening and working ok in MS Access
97. I tried compacting and repairing in 97 as well and re-
converting - still no go.

Now - think of a profanity - put the words `MS Access
developers' after it, and the word `jerks'.... that is
how i feel.

Thanks everyone for your help.. appreciate the attempts -
think I may be stuck reprogramming...

Rick

 

[Guest]

If I see the systems tech here again, I'll get him to re-
install... I don't have `access' to the program.... ;0\

I downloaded the new MS Conversion Toolkit they put out
(52 Mb) and it ALSO gives me same errors... I've tried
everything pretty much - exporting objects... if database
IS corrupted, it is opening and working ok in MS Access
97. I tried compacting and repairing in 97 as well and re-
converting - still no go.

Now - think of a profanity - put the words `MS Access
developers' after it, and the word `jerks'.... that is
how i feel.

Thanks everyone for your help.. appreciate the attempts -
think I may be stuck reprogramming...

Rick

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

At the risk of being obvious... when you compacted and
repaired in A97, did you see the menu item 'convert database'
in the same place? Was it enabled?

(david)

 

[Steven Parsons [MSFT]]

Hi Rick -

This is Steven from Microsoft Access Technical Support replying to your
newsgroup post.

I am sorry to read that you have had difficutly with an Access 97 database
while in Access 2003. Please review the following document, which should
help you to resolve this issue:

Cannot open or convert an Access 97 database in Access 2002 or later
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;310937

Please let me know if this solves your problem or if you would like further
assistance. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Steven Parsons [MSFT]
Microsoft Access Product Support Services
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Get Secure! (http://www.microsoft.com/security)

 

[Stewart Tanner]

I know that this may be a bit painful but it is an alternative to
recoding....

have a look at the save as text option for your database objects. you could
then reimport them into 2003

Stewart