Not a valid bookmark (error)

[dbc]

Very strange problem. I'm mystified about what could be
causing it.
My client has a 32 MB database that's not designed very
well. There are some queries that contain fields from
three tables, one pair of which are right joined. The
query runs just fine, but when you try to go into Design
View, it produces an error message, "Not a valid bookmark."

Possible clues or mitigating factors:
1. There are no macros or modules that could have put a
bookmark in the recordset, much less a permanent
bookmark. The help topic from the message box confirms
that only macros and VBA code can put a bookmark in a
recordset.
2. The right outer join is between two non-primary fields.
3. We looked at the relationships window, and all joins
that had previously been established there were gone.
(There had been no relationships with ref. integ.)

 

[dbc]

4. While I can't open the query in Design View, I can run
it and successfully switch to SQL View.
5. However, trying to save changes produces an error
stating that somebody else has the recordset open already,
and we verified that nobody else has the DB open.
6. In SQL View I can change the right join to an inner
join, which produces fewer records (told you the design of
the DB was bad), but can't seem to save it that way.
7. I recreated the query in Design View, and everything
worked great until I saved & closed it. On trying to open
Design View again, first it gave me an error, then it
simply opened in SQL View.

You're welcome to send the answer directly to me.
dbc