Access 2000 MDE cannot be opened on users' XP systems

[Guest]

I have recently uploaded an Access 2K MDE to a number of my colleagues, all
of whom have Access 2000 installed. When it is sent to them by email, Outlook
greys out and disables the file after recognising there is code in the
attachment. When downloaded from the Web, it can be installed but when trying
to run the MDE the User's system asserts that the file cannot be opened
because it was created outside the network. I would be most grateful for any
help, as SOME of vmy colleagues are unable to access my MDE.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like you are dealing with a controlled network. Talk to your network
administrator regarding the removal of security or see if you can upload it
to a shared drive on the network through VPN if you are outside of the
network.

Hope it helps,

Nick.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Nick but I am a single user with no network.

It seems like a Windows XP security or Firewall block because it isn't
happening on all systems.

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I have recently uploaded an Access 2K MDE to a number of my
colleagues, all of whom have Access 2000 installed. When it is sent
to them by email, Outlook greys out and disables the file after
recognising there is code in the attachment. When downloaded from the
Web, it can be installed but when trying to run the MDE the User's
system asserts that the file cannot be opened because it was created
outside the network. I would be most grateful for any help, as SOME
of vmy colleagues are unable to access my MDE.

Try changing the extension from MDE to ABC and instruct the recipient to
change it back after they have copied it to their machine and before trying
to open it. See if that works. If not then I would suggest Biz's
suggestion is the solution.

 

[Guest]

That's a cunning plan Joseph. Many thanks for that - I'll give it a try.

Regarding Biz's suggestion, there is no network involved and there is no
security set on the file, so I'm puzzled as to why the user is prevented from
opening the file. They had been able to open earlier versions of the file
without any problem (just a week or so back). I wondered if it is a Firewall
or Windows XP security related problem. The message displayed is something
like:

"You cannot access this file as it was created on another system."

I'm baffled!!!

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

I have recently uploaded an Access 2K MDE to a number of my colleagues

Have them save it to disk, right click on the file name in windows explorer,
Properties | Unblock.

I would be most grateful for any
help, as SOME of vmy colleagues are unable to access my MDE.

It's because of Windows XP SP2's security features.

 

[Guest]

Hi Gran,

Thanks for you help again.

I'll give that a try ASAP.

What is happening is this:

- They can download the mde file from the Web OK
- They can save the mde file on their system OK
- When they try to run the file, they are prompted with the Unknown
Publisher dialogue but when they click on open they receive the following
message:

"Microsoft Access cannot open this file. This file is located outside your
Intranet or on an untrusted site. Microsoft Access will not open the file due
to potential security problems. To open this file copy it onto your machine
...."

Despite what the message says, the file is definitely loaded on the User's
machine.

Does this fit the bill with your remedy Gran?

 

[Guest]

Gran,

I don't have an UNBLOCK option when I right-click on the MDE file. Is this
because I don't have SP2?

 

[Rick Brandt]

Gran,

I don't have an UNBLOCK option when I right-click on the MDE file. Is
this because I don't have SP2?

It would not be an option on the right-click menu. You would open
"Properties" from the right-click menu and then the Unblock button would be
on the General tab of the properties sheet, but you are correct in that you
would not have that option if you do not have SP2 for WinXP installed.

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

I don't have an UNBLOCK option when I right-click on the MDE file. Is this
because I don't have SP2?

Yes, but since you created the file on *your* system even if you had SP2
installed, it wouldn't show the "Block" button in properties. Only *foreign*
files (downloaded from the internet, email or untrusted networks) will be
automatically blocked on Windows XP SP2 for your safety and convenience. <g>

 

[Guest]

Thanks Rick.

I've just logged in to the MS XP site and it tells me I already have SP2
installed.

Despite this, I don't have an UNBLOCK option within the Properties General
tab.

Any ideas my friend?

Anthony Judge.

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

"Microsoft Access cannot open this file. This file is located outside your
Intranet or on an untrusted site. Microsoft Access will not open the file due
to potential security problems. To open this file copy it onto your machine
..."

Despite what the message says, the file is definitely loaded on the User's
machine.

Does this fit the bill with your remedy Gran?

Yes.

 

[Guest]

Wonderful.

That explains that then.

For the first time in several days, I feel confident about getting this baby
fixed.

Now I need the Users to come back to me so we can try it out.

Many thanks for your help. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

For the first time in several days, I feel confident about getting this baby
fixed.

Enjoy it while it lasts, hon. Just when you think you have everything under
control Access will take you out for another spin on the dance floor to make
you dizzy.

Many thanks for your help. I'll let you know how it goes.

You're welcome, Anthony. We're here to help if you have any further problems.

 

[Guest]

Hi Gran,

My first User has just got back to me to say that your remedy worked a treat.

Many, many thanks for this help. You're a genius.

All I need to do now is find out why my newly installed Access 2000 mde
files are not being recognised by Access 2003 and can only be run if I
install Access 2000 in a different directory. Any more brilliant suggestions
while you#re on a roll?

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

My first User has just got back to me to say that your remedy worked a treat.

That's great news!

Many, many thanks for this help. You're a genius.

You're very welcome, Anthony. I've just had some practice at this is all.

All I need to do now is find out why my newly installed Access 2000 mde
files are not being recognised by Access 2003 and can only be run if I
install Access 2000 in a different directory.

Access 2003 *should* read Access 2000 MDE files. "Not recognized" as in
"Unrecognized database format" error message when they try to open the file,
or is the icon for the file in Windows explorer *not* an Access database icon?
Is it one of those "doohickey" icons (for want of a better term) for
unassigned file extensions?

 

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure it was a 'doohickey' icon.

They all have Office 2003 installed in a directory within Program Files
named OfficeXXXX (where XXX represents some numbers).

If I install Office 2000, it throws it into a directory named Office within
Program Files, after which my mde runs ok.

 

[Granny Spitz via AccessMonster.com]

I'm pretty sure it was a 'doohickey' icon.

Then it's missing registry entries. On their Office 2003 computers (the ones
that don't have Office 2K installed) in Windows Explorer go to Tools | Folder
Options, tab to File Types, scroll down to MDE. It should be listed as
Microsoft Office Access MDE Database and set to open with Microsoft Office
Access 2003. If MDE isn't listed you can add it as a new file type, but it
would be better to have a Windows admin log in and reinstall Office 2003.
Some of the registry settings didn't get set on the first install and there's
no telling what else didn't get installed correctly, so it would be safer to
just reinstall it.

 

[Guest]

Then it's missing registry entries. On their Office 2003 computers (the ones
that don't have Office 2K installed) in Windows Explorer go to Tools | Folder
Options, tab to File Types, scroll down to MDE. It should be listed as
Microsoft Office Access MDE Database and set to open with Microsoft Office
Access 2003. If MDE isn't listed you can add it as a new file type, but it
would be better to have a Windows admin log in and reinstall Office 2003.
Some of the registry settings didn't get set on the first install and there's
no telling what else didn't get installed correctly, so it would be safer to
just reinstall it.

 

[Guest]

OK. Many thanks Gran

I've been reading about Access Runtime files on these discussion groups. Is
it possible for someone without MS Access to run my MDE file if they have the
required run-time files supplied by me without me having to visit them?