Copying Access 2000 file, read-only, cannot change attributes, err

[b2may]

I have an Access 2000 database on a 3 1/2" floppy which is now full. I am
trying to copy it to a CD-RW. I copy the file to My Documents first, in
which the file is writable. Then I drag it to the CD-RW and get a read-only
file. I right click on the file, select Properties, unclick Attributes:
Read-only, click Apply, and get an Error Applying Attributes message that
says:

an error occurred applying attributes to the file:
D:\ (my file name.mdb)
Access is denied.

How can I change this? I simply want to have my database on a CD.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

I don't believe Access is capable of interacting in a read/write way with an
MDB on a CD, even if it is a CD-RW, so it's pointless to try and change the
attribute on the CD. Once you've copied it back to the hard drive from the
CD, then you can change its attribute.

 

[b2may]

How can this be? I can't store and use my database on a CD-RW? I had it on
a floppy before, did that make a difference? If that's right (that you can't
store it on a CD) then that explains why the MS tech support person on the
phone said that I wouldn't be able to write to the CD. I just thought she
was incompetent. I'm having a hard time believing that MS would have such an
unsolvable problem with Access.

Thanks for your response. Do others agree with this?

 

[Brucels]

I am no expert, but I seem to recall reading advice to not use optical (CD,
DVD) storage like a hard or flash drive. As I understand it, optical storage
is good for transferring and archiving, but is not good for regular
re-writing of documents or databases. I'd appreciate hearing if anyone has
evidence or thoughts to the contrary.

Bruce

 

[Jerry Whittle]

You can certainly store an Access database on a CD or CD-RW. You just can't
write to it.

If your computer has Windows 2000 or newer and has USB ports, consider
getting a flash drive. A flash drive doesn't have the same problem with
Access as a CD.

 

[b2may]

Perfect solution. I've stored it on a flash drive and it is writeable.
Thank you for pointing me in another direction!

 

[Jerry Whittle]

When using a flash drive make sure that you turn off not just the database,
but also Access before removing the drive. Also check over the flash drive
icon to make sure that the OS says that's it's OK. I've seen databases
corrupted by removing the flash drive prematurely. I teach Access at the
local community college and most of the students use flash drives.

 

[b2may]

Thanks for the tips, Jerry!

When using a flash drive make sure that you turn off not just the database,
but also Access before removing the drive. Also check over the flash drive
icon to make sure that the OS says that's it's OK. I've seen databases
corrupted by removing the flash drive prematurely. I teach Access at the
local community college and most of the students use flash drives.