Adding new users to an Access 2002 DB

[fluvannahoo]

This has to be simple but I've inherited a DB and am having trouble
getting a new user access to it. I keep getting the message that she
doesn't have the necessary permissions... go see the administrator. We
are using MS SBS 2003 with XP clients and the DB in question is not
split. I have searched and read and reread various publications
courtesy of Google but simoply can't figure out how to add her.
The security file is system. mdw and it is stored in the documents and
settings folder for the user. When I use the print users function it
lists 3 users "Admin", the name of a person (who left the company long
ago) and the name of a company. Every workstation I've checked has the
same info. I definitely don't want to screw up security for the other
users so I need to figure out how to get her access.
Any and all help would be appreciated.

 

[Joan Wild]

Are you sure it's the system.mdw file that is being used with this database?
That mdw file may be the default one that ships with Access.

Usually one keeps the secure mdw file on the server, and everyone uses that
for the secure mdb (it's easier to manage that way).

It would help if you gave the full message i.e. doesn't have the necessary
permissions ... to WHAT? Also what version of Access?

If the message is referring to the mdb file, then the user would need open
permission on the database object. If it's referring to a table/query, then
they'd need at least read data permission. If a form/report, then open
permission on it.

It is likely (and preferred) that you assign permissions to groups. Then
you need only create a new user and put them in the group, rather than
assigning permissions to users.

From your description though, I'm not convinced this database is secured at
all. Do other users (where it's working), have to login to the mdb?

 

[fluvannahoo]

No user has to logon and there is no shortcut to the MDB and mdw files
as I've read about. The version of Access is 2002 and the error
message refers to the DB in question. I will post the full message
later.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Joan Wild]

Then that indicates that the mdb is not secured. Even unsecured databases
use a workgroup file. Out of the box, Access uses system.mdw, which
silently logs you in as Admin. This is usually located in the windows
system folder.

You should be able to rename the existing system.mdw to system1.mdw. Then
try to open the mdb. Access will create a new system.mdw when it can't find
one, and if your mdb is not secure, you'll get in.

 

[fluvannahoo]

i opened the DB and did a CTRL-G "?dbengine.systemdb" and the mdw
being used is in my "documents and settings" folder in the
applications>Microsoft>access. It looks like it is that way for all
the users. If I rename that file, a new one is created when Access is
opened again. If I try to run the security wizard I get an error
message saying that I can't do it "when you are both logged on as the
Admin user...". In fooling with this I have changed my permissions
somehow so that I cannot open certain forms, and it goes on.

 

[Joan Wild]

Don't run the security wizard.

So the mdb opens when you are using the standard system.mdw.

It sounds like someone didn't secure it properly, however parts of it appear
to be secure.

When you open it, go to Tools, Security, permissions and check to see what
permissions the Users Group has and what permissions the Admin User has.
You can also check who the owner is of all the objects.

Since everyone is opening the mdb while using their standard system.mdw,
they are silently being logged in as the Admin user, and they have whatever
permissions are assigned to Users Group and Admin User.

You might also check in Tools, security, accounts to see if the Admin user
is a member of any other group.