access97 security?

[Kevin Payne]

Not sure if this is a security issue, but here goes.

I just inhereted an access97 system that needs some changes. I am by no
means an expert in access. When opening the mdb file, at first I couldn't
see anything. I then found under tools->options->view tab, show hidden
objects. After checking that, I can now see the tables. But, I cannot see
anything else, forms, reports, queries, etc. (which do exist).

I am also having trouble performing other actions on tables. Example, trying
to compact a table, I get: Record(s) can't be read; no read permission on
'tablename'.

Any help GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
KP

 

[Larry Linson]

It is possible that the database has some "homegrown security" applied by
hiding objects. It would appear that Access security may also have been
applied, and you need to be logged in with a special userid to modify the
data/tables. Best approach is to contact the original or last developer and
find out what they did to secure it.

If the database owner (from whom you presumably got the DB and the
assignment) does not have the information, and the developer is not
available, then the DB owner has a problem.

There are "password recovery" applications available for modest cost. I
believe there is a free one for Access 97, posted to demonstrate the ease
with which security can be broken... if it has not been removed from the
site where it existed, I suspect you can find it by diligent searching. My
recollection is that the author's name was "Gavrilov".

The Access Security FAQ can be downloaded -- for more information see
articles 165009 and 207793 in the Knowledge Base at
http://support.microsoft.com. It describes user and group level security in
Microsoft Access, and although its title says "versions 2.0 through 2000",
it is still accurate for Access 2002 and 2003.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP