Question re: security.mdw files

[Guest]

Using MS Access 2000, Windows XP
============================
Hi,

When I do a search for "system.mdw" on my C: drive, I come up with 2 files:
1. C:\WINDOWS\System32\system.mdw
2. C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\system.mdw

When I run wrkgadm.exe from "Start-->Run", I get:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\system.mdw

When I start MS Access (without opening any database), and go to immediate
window and type in ?dbengine.systemdb, I get:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\system.mdw

I've also tried joining the system.mdw at C:\WINDOWS\System32\ explicitly by
running wrkgadm.exe and clicking on "Join" and selecting the file at the
above location (C:\WINDOWS\System32\). This is when no database is open, or
when Access is not running.

However, when I open a database, and check for system.ldb file, there is one
in the following folder: C:\WINDOWS\System32\, but when I check for
?dbengine.systemdb in the immediate window, it types out:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\system.mdw

I'm just curious if this is normal behavior.

If I explicitly join a specific system.mdw file, shouldn't that be the
systemdb file when I check for that in immediate window after starting
Access? Unless my assumption about running ?dbengine.systemdb is incorrect.

Thanks for an explanation.

-Amit

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

1. C:\WINDOWS\System32\system.mdw

Access 97

2. C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\system.mdw

Access 2000

running wrkgadm.exe and clicking on "Join"

Access 97. For 2000, check that you are using version 9+
of wrkgadm.exe The pointer to the workgroup is stored under
the Access key, so it is different for different versions
of wrkgadm.

(david)

 

[Joan Wild]

Access 97
etc.

Hmmm, I have 97, 2000, 2002, 2003 installed and have one system.mdw on my
system...it's in c:\Windows\System32

Doesn't matter which version I start, they are all using that system.mdw.
I've been musing over this for some time; anyone have any thoughts?

 

[TC]

Presumably, the version-specific registry keys all point to that one
file.

TC

 

[Guest]

Access 97


Access 2000


Access 97. For 2000, check that you are using version 9+
of wrkgadm.exe The pointer to the workgroup is stored under
the Access key, so it is different for different versions
of wrkgadm.

David,

Thanks for your response. Checked the version for wrkgadm.exe, and it is ver
7.0
There is a compatibility tab on the file properties that allows to run this
file in compatibility mode with Access 2000.
I checked that box and selected Access 2000, but that didn't make any
difference either. Still the same issue.

Actually this might explain why I ran into a problem when testing for
security a week ago when I thought I was joined to the new workgroup file,
any new users I added were actually added to security.mdw (the default file).

Let's see if re-installing MS Access 2000 does the trick.

Thanks.

-Amit

 

[Joan Wild]

Yes, but I guess I'm wondering why/how that happened? When I installed 2000
(after 97) why didn't it create system.mdw in the folder David pointed out?
Same with subsequent versions - they are all using the system.mdw in the
windows system folder that was installed by 97.

 

[Guest]

Access 97. For 2000, check that you are using version 9+
of wrkgadm.exe The pointer to the workgroup is stored under
the Access key, so it is different for different versions
of wrkgadm.

Hi David,

Just wanted to let you know that your suggestion worked. I re-installed MS
Office 2000, and copied the newer version of wrkgadm.exe (ver 9.0) and now
things are working as they should.

Thanks again for your post, and helping me solve this thorny issue, and
congrats for Warnie's 600

Cheers,

-Amit

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

Hmmm, I have 97, 2000, 2002, 2003 installed and have one system.mdw on my
system...it's in c:\Windows\System32

Doesn't matter which version I start, they are all using that system.mdw.
I've been musing over this for some time; anyone have any thoughts?

I think that would be because I have A97 installed
after A2000. My system.mdw in Common Files id Jet
4.0 format. I never use the default workgroup, so
I hadn't worried about it: I guess this would have
to be one of the less known side effects of installing
in the wrong order!

(david)

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

Glad I could help.

That compatibility tab on the file properties is for
WINDOWS 2000/98 compatibility mode. There are some
fairly subtle differences for A97 running in W98
compatibility mode - I never worry about it.

(david)

 

[TC]

As you know, each version has a seperate registry key that defines the
name & location of the default workgroup file. I'm wondering whether 2k
said, "Oh, I see that 97 is already installed, I'll set /my/ default
workgroup file to be the same as 97's". Then the subsequent versions
did the same?

Just a guess - I've never had multiple versions on my PC.

Cheers,
TC

 

[Jeff Conrad]

in message:

Hmmm, I have 97, 2000, 2002, 2003 installed and have one system.mdw on my system...it's in
c:\Windows\System32

Doesn't matter which version I start, they are all using that system.mdw. I've been musing over
this for some time; anyone have any thoughts?

Interesting, I have the exact same setup Joan.
I have the same four versions, all installed in the proper order in separate folders.

I have three system.mdw files in these places:
C:\Windows\System32
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Access 2000\Office

Weird.

 

[TC]

I wonder if there is a policy or setting somewhere, that says: "Copy
the name & location of the default workgroup information file, from the
previous version of Access if there is one on the PC" ?

TC

 

[Joan Wild]

Ok I checked again (just recently installed 2000). I have two system.mdw
files
C:\Windows\System32 - this one is used by 97, 2002 and 2003
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System - this one is used by 2000

 

[TC]

Weird!

My bet is still on a policy or setting somewhere which tells the
installation program to carry-over the previous settings, into the new
registry keys.

But if I can't fix my other (MDE) problem, then, what I think about
anything, will not matter one way or the other in a few days time!!

Cheers,
TC