Copied database - no administer permissions

[Guest]

We migrated a bunch of data to a new file server using Robocopy. Security was
copied as well. One Access DB can be opened in A2000 and A2003 but not read.
Error is "Could not read definitions; no read definitions permission for
table or query 'table1'". Unable to change anything in User and Group
Permissions. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[Joan Wild]

You are not using the correct workgroup file (mdw). Was the secure mdw on
the old server?

Are you opening the mdb via a shortcut that utilizes this mdw?

"path to msaccess.exe" "path to mdb" /wrkgrp "path to secure.mdw"

 

[Guest]

TY for the fast reply. There is no .mdw file on the server or the client's
workstation. The user (who has Access 2000) has always double clicked on the
DB which is in a share on the server.

 

[Joan Wild]

The mdb was secured at some point. Perhaps the mdw was on the old server,
and they were joined to it by default.

Are you saying that they have never had to login before?

 

[Guest]

Upon further review...there are 3 system.mdw files on her local drive.
in
c\winnt\system32
c\program files\common file\system
c\program files\microsoft office\office

User sez: "I am not aware of ever having to login to the database. It just
was always there and was accessed like every other database (the ones that
are working)."

 

[Joan Wild]

It is unusual to have 3 system.mdw files. Try:
Start Run wrkgadm.exe
That will tell you the mdw she is joined to by default. Try joining one of
the other ones, and attempt to open the mdb.

If it doesn't work, try the third one.

If it still doesn't work, then I suggest you rename these three and copy
system.mdw from another computer, and join it.

 

[Guest]

No dice.

What's odd is that at User and Group Permissions, on the CHANGE OWNER tab
the CURRENT OWNER is <unknown>.

And she has never logged into any DB on her system.

 

[Joan Wild]

Owner 'unknown' verifies that user level security was applied (or attempted)
at some point. The particular object that has an unknown owner means that
it was created by a user that doesn't exist in the current workgroup -
either because you are using the wrong workgroup file, or that user has
since been deleted from the workgroup file.

Someone *has* played with Access security on her computer - databases don't
secure themselves on their own.

 

[Guest]

If I can't find the correct mdw file, are we out of luck?. Is there any hack
tool available?

 

[Joan Wild]

Try searching at google.com