System mdw

[Eileen]

Hi

I set up a new mdw file and created shortcuts containing
the file location of it for users to access the db. This
is set on two db's. However, yesterday I found that my
password was no longer valid for one of them even though
they use the same mdw. I joined the new mdw, opened the
db to modify that mdw but instead my system.mdw was
modified and now I have to restore that - this happened to
me twice so obviously I can't use the security wizard to
modify an mdw that I created - it resorts to the
system.mdw?
Should I start over?
Thanks for your help.
Eileen

 

[Joan Wild]

Hi

I set up a new mdw file and created shortcuts containing
the file location of it for users to access the db. This
is set on two db's.

Did you put the mdw in a single location (like on a server), or did you copy
it to each machine?

However, yesterday I found that my

password was no longer valid for one of them even though
they use the same mdw.

It sounds like these are two separate mdw files.

I joined the new mdw, opened the

db to modify that mdw but instead my system.mdw was
modified and now I have to restore that - this happened to
me twice so obviously I can't use the security wizard to
modify an mdw that I created - it resorts to the
system.mdw?

You don't need to open a mdb in order to modify a mdw file. The workgroup
file contains usernames/passwords, but the mdb contains the permissions for
its objects.

If you haven't got it, download and study the security FAQ available at
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=207793

 

[Eileen]

I am using a variety of resources and following step by
step. I just created a new mdw file and made myself the
admins/owner. This is occurring on my hard drive. I exited
Access and reopened it. I created a blank db and imported
the objects from the existing one to establish myself as
the owner. I should note that I am currently still joined
to the new mdw file I created. I then use the security
wizard to create my users and permissions. When the one-
step security wizard report appears it shows the workgroup
information file to be the system.mdw - what is causing
this? Is something corrupted? I am running Access 97 and
Office 2000 on this pc.

 

[Joan Wild]

I am using a variety of resources and following step by
step. I just created a new mdw file and made myself the
admins/owner.

??? - I don't understand this - how did you make yourself the owner of the
mdw file?

This is occurring on my hard drive. I exited

Access and reopened it.

Were you prompted for a username/password?

I created a blank db and imported

the objects from the existing one to establish myself as
the owner. I should note that I am currently still joined
to the new mdw file I created.

How do you know?

I then use the security

wizard to create my users and permissions. When the one-
step security wizard report appears it shows the workgroup
information file to be the system.mdw - what is causing
this? Is something corrupted? I am running Access 97 and
Office 2000 on this pc.

There seems to be some confusion whether you are using Access 97 or 2000.
There is no one-step security wizard report in Access 97.

 

[Eileen]

I created a new mdw file and was joined to it. I then
opened Access 2000, created myself as a new user and added
myself to Admins. I then created a password for the Admin
user in order to generate the logon dialog box and removed
the Admin user from the Admins group. I exited Access and
restarted it, I did not get prompted for a logon until I
selected the database I wanted to secure.I made myself the
owner of the database by creating a new one and importing
all of the objects. I then used the new database to set
the security accounts and permissions. I was not prompted
for a password upon opening Access 2000 only when I opened
the database. I assumed the prompt was stemming from the
new mdw I created and joined by running wrkgadm.exe first.

I then use the security wizard to create my users and
permissions. When the one-step security wizard report
appears it shows the workgroup information file to be the
system.mdw even though I am joined to the new .mdw I
created. It seems to be overwriting the system.mdw. When
I run the wrkgadm.exe file it shows me joined to the new
one I created!
I just started over again and did not use the security
wizard. Again, I joined the new .mdw file, opened Access
2000 and setup myself as the administrator and checked to
ensure I was the owner of the database. I then set up the
group accounts and permissions and exited the database. I
rejoined the system.mdw and then attempted to open a
regular non-secured db only to find that all of the
security I thought I was writing for my new mdw was tied
into the system.mdw
I hope this lengthy explanation helps as I really
appreciate your interest in this problem. Thanks.

 

[Joan Wild]

It seems to me that you are getting rejoined to the system.mdw at some
point. If you start adding users/changing memberships with no database
open, I think you are doing so in the system.mdw workgroup.

You shouldn't bother with the security wizard in 2000, as it doesn't
do a good job. The FAQ says

"The Access 2000 security wizard removes permissions to the point where they
are not visible on the security menus, but testing has revealed that in
Access 2000 it is possible to open a database by using the default workgroup
information file regardless of the menu settings."

So don't use the wizard at all. I take it that you use Start, Run,
wrkgadm.exe and create a new workgroup file. I'll call it secure.mdw. This
should also join you to this workgroup by default. I would rejoin the
system.mdw at this point.

Crate a desktop shortcut like:
"path to msaccess.exe" /wrkgrp "path to secure.mdw"

Open Access 2000 using the shortcut, add a new user, and add them to the
Admins Group; remove Admin from the Admins group. Set a password on the
Admin user and exit Access.

Open it again using the desktop shortcut and login as this user(if you don't
get a login prompt then something is wrong). Create a new database. Import
all objects from your database. Just to be certain, exit Access and modify
the shortcut to:
"path to msaccess.exe" "path to new mdb" /wrkgrp "path to secure.mdw"

Open via the shortcut and you should be prompted for username/password. Now
you can proceed to remove all permissions from the Users group; then remove
all permissions from the Admin user. Then create your own groups and set
permissions on them. Create users and assign them to your groups.