User Level Password

[Aurora]

I have a hand me down computer at work. When I try to
create a new file in Access, it asks for a user name and
password. The previous owner has left the company. I
cannot even get into Tools/Security. I can't do anything
in Access until I answer the log on question.

I reinstalled Access and it was fine until the SR patches
were installed. Then it came and asked again for
password. How can I get into Access to create new
databases?

Thanks,
Aurora

 

[Joan Wild]

Your computer is joined to a workgroup file that was used to secure some
database. With a password set for the Admin user in that workgroup file,
you are getting a login prompt.

Do a search on your computer for all workgroup files (*.mdw).

Post back with the paths, and also what version of Access you are using.

 

[Guest]

First, I would UNINSTALL Access. You said you reinstalled
it, but did you uninstall it first?

If that doesn't work, I would reformat the hard drive
after copying all of you personal files to floppy, CD,
other Hard drive, zip drive, network drive, or etc...

After formatting, (you'll need help doing that right) then
install all the programs you have and I guarantee it'll
run right for you.

It may sound drastic, but I've formatted many of my own
hard drives and afterwards, it always runs faster and
cleaner!

If you don't have some of the original disks, such as
Office Professional, or whatever, then you're pirating the
software and you really shouldn't be using it anyway.

 

[Aurora]

Access version - Access 2000 9.0.3821 SR-1

Result of search:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\system.mdw
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\system.mdw
D:\microsoft office\office\system.mdw
D:\Program Files\MSOFFICE\Office\system.mdw

Background: I deinstalled Office and reinstalled it back
on drive d.

Thanks again,
Aurora

 

[Joan Wild]

Use Start, Run, wrkgadm.exe
When it opens it will tell you the path of the system.mdw workgroup you are
currently joined to by default.

Click on Join and locate one of the other system.mdw files. Try opening
Access and starting a new mdb.

Keep joining each mdw file until you find one that opens without a
username/password prompt.

 

[Aurora]

It worked - you're a genius!! Thank you ever so much.
You have certainly saved me from a lot of trouble. I was
so worried I might have had to reformat the drives and I
didn't want to do that.

Thanks again,
Aurora

 

[Aurora]

One other question - Is it now safe to overwrite the file
system.mdw at the previous default drive c: with the one I
am presently using at the d: drive? This way, when new
patches are installed, even if the target goes back to the
c: drive as default, I don't have to go thru the process
of changing the target again to the d: drive.

Thanks,
Aurora

 

[Joan Wild]

It would depend on whether you need any of the other ones for secure
databases.

If you delete one of them, and it is required to access a secure database,
then you would have to recreate the mdw file.

I suggest you backup them up (all of them); then go ahead and delete them.
If you find later that one of them is needed, then you have the backup.

 

[Aurora]

I'll follow your recommendations.

Thanks again,
A.