ERROR: The code or macros do not match the Digital Signature - can't open mdb file!!

[David Anderson]

Just after a coding update to an Access 2003 application of mine, I ran a
Compact & Repair. As soon as Access tried to reopen the MDB file, I got the
error message "The code or macros do not match the Digital Signature..."
followed by another message telling me that "Security settings restrict
access to the file because it is not digitally signed". The database then
failed to reopen. This application was signed with a self-generated
certificate a long time ago and has run successfully for many months, with
regular code changes, but I have never seen such a message before. It
suggests that a virus infection or file modifications using an earlier
version of Access are the most likely causes, but a virus scan has run
cleanly and I have not touched this database with any other version of
Access.

How do I regain access to my database?

David

 

[G. Vaught]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828412

Read the above help.

 

[David Anderson]

Thanks for that. As it happens, by the time I read your reply I'd already
worked out how to regain access to my database (essentially using the same
process described in your link). I then hit strange new problems that were
only fixed after I imported everything into a new database. I even had to
import one form from an earlier backup version. The reason for my problems
was not that described in your link. However, from past experience, it is
not unknown for Access to develop various forms of internal corruption for
no apparent reason. Grrrrr.

All very frustrating, and a waste of several hours - but a good
justification for regular backups!

David