Sudden Change to Database Forms

[OldEnough]

We have a database that has been in use for a few years. Recently we upgraded
our MS Office to 2003. Since that time on one of the desktops that uses the
front end there was an event that has rendered the front end unusable. The
user was entering data to a form when she suddenly found a screen that said
something like "the computer will need to reboot". Unfortunately the person
making observations was not careful in observing exactly what transpired, but
since that time all of the fields that have lookups based on queries do not
work. If you check the underlying queries in design view the queries work
perfectly. But when you open the form the fields do not seem to be associated
with the queries that are supposed to be associated with them. We recopied
the front end to the computer but that made no difference. I suspect
something changed with access security or something but I have no idea what
happened and how to restore it. If anyone has an idea please give me a
suggestion. Thanks.

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

The front-end on that workstation is probably corrupt. The easiest fix is to
copy a front-end from a working machine.

 

[OldEnough]

Thanks. That was our first response. The same front end works properly on
other workstations. When recopied to this workstation it does not. It seems
as if windows/access may have prompted an inattentive user about making a
change. Without looking up or being aware of what was on the screen they
triggered the change and then observed the notice that "windows will need to
reboot". The change in behavior of the database followed the reboot.

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

The is nothing within Access that would ask Windows to reboot. The only
possible request might come from a Service Pack. Check the levels on
different machines by going to Help >>> About

Or possibly a computer virus. Check with the Windows or security newsgroups
for possible candidates. If you have a serious virus, and don't have a
really skilled person to deal with it, you might consider formatting the
hard drive and re-installing. It's a drastic step, but sometimes necessary.
The best bet though is to find a local MCSE to deal with the problem, if you
can't get an answer on-line
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access
http://www.accessmvp.com

 

[OldEnough]

I found the solution earlier today from another posting. Apparently the user
at this particular workstation did not notice that Microsoft Office Automatic
Updates initated an update to 2003 SP3. There is a known issue with this
update relating to combobox display. I found a link to the knowledgebase
article in another posting. The current workaround involves removing the
default formating of text fields in the front end. I implemented this
workaround and it restored the functionality of the backend on the affected
workstation. Presumably there should not be any adverse affect to the
database from this workaround.