set password in Access 2002

[Guest]

Followed the help file instructions for setting a database password. Now I
can't open any database at all. I am stopped at the user/password box. I
can't even create a new database.
Since I'm sure of the password I entered, I guess I'm needing to remove it
now as if it is a forgotten password.
I don't know much about Visual Basic if that's what I need to use.

 

[Joan Wild]

Followed the help file instructions for setting a database password.
Now I can't open any database at all. I am stopped at the
user/password box.

Those are two different things. You can set a database password (which will
only prompt for the password on opening that single database), or you can
implement user level security (which will prompt for a username and
password).

I can't even create a new database.

That sounds like user level security, not just a database password.

Since I'm sure of the password I entered, I guess I'm needing to
remove it now as if it is a forgotten password.

I will guess that you modified your existing workgroup file, rather than
creating a new one, since you were following instructions in the help file.

Use Start, Search and locate all *.mdw files on your computer. If you find
only one, and it's called system.mdw, rename it to system1.mdw and then open
Access. See if that is sufficient to get back into your database.

If you find more than one mdw file, post back.

 

[Rick B]

Did you set a database password, or did you set up user-level security and
create userids and passwords? They are different.

If you created a userid and password, but did not properly secure your
database, then just rejoin the default workgroup file which should not
contain a password.

If you added a database password and you truly can't remember it, then I
think you would have to use a data recovery service or software to get it
back. Typically you would have to pay for these.

 

[Guest]

Those are two different things. You can set a database password (which will
only prompt for the password on opening that single database), or you can
implement user level security (which will prompt for a username and
password).

I can't even create a new database.

That sounds like user level security, not just a database password.


I will guess that you modified your existing workgroup file, rather than
creating a new one, since you were following instructions in the help file.

Use Start, Search and locate all *.mdw files on your computer. If you find
only one, and it's called system.mdw, rename it to system1.mdw and then open
Access. See if that is sufficient to get back into your database.

If you find more than one mdw file, post back.


--
Joan Wild
Microsoft Access MVP


I didn't find any file with .mdw. Even looked specifically for system.mdw

 

[Guest]

Did you set a database password, or did you set up user-level security and
create userids and passwords? They are different.

If you created a userid and password, but did not properly secure your
database, then just rejoin the default workgroup file which should not
contain a password.

If you added a database password and you truly can't remember it, then I
think you would have to use a data recovery service or software to get it
back. Typically you would have to pay for these.

--
Rick B






It may have been a user-level password. Since we are basically beginners I'm not real sure. How would I rejoin the default workgroup file?

 

[Rick B]

Follow Joan's post. She is much more of an expert than I.

--
Rick B



I'm not real sure. How would I rejoin the default workgroup file?

 

[Guest]

Those are two different things. You can set a database password (which will
only prompt for the password on opening that single database), or you can
implement user level security (which will prompt for a username and
password).

I can't even create a new database.

That sounds like user level security, not just a database password.


I will guess that you modified your existing workgroup file, rather than
creating a new one, since you were following instructions in the help file.

Use Start, Search and locate all *.mdw files on your computer. If you find
only one, and it's called system.mdw, rename it to system1.mdw and then open
Access. See if that is sufficient to get back into your database.

If you find more than one mdw file, post back.


--
Joan Wild
Microsoft Access MVP


Joan, I found the file after looking in hidden and system files. Sorry. I changed the file name to system1 but still couldn't get into the program.

 

[Joan Wild]

When you say you can't get into the program, do you mean you can't start
Access, or do you mean you can't open your database?

When you implemented security, did you run the Security Wizard?, or did you
just start adding users/groups?

 

[Guest]

When you say you can't get into the program, do you mean you can't start
Access, or do you mean you can't open your database?

When you implemented security, did you run the Security Wizard?, or did you
just start adding users/groups?


--
Joan Wild
Microsoft Access MVP


I was just in the middle of preparing this reply when I tried the process again and it opened. It didn't ask for any passwords. The problem just seemed to vaporize. (Yikes!)

Now, this file needs to shared via a wireless peer-to-peer network, so
should I try again to set up the security but use the wizard or the "set
database password?"

 

[Joan Wild]

Now, this file needs to shared via a wireless peer-to-peer network, so
should I try again to set up the security but use the wizard or the
"set database password?"

The database password is very easy to crack; I wouldn't bother with it.

If you want to implement user-level security it is important that you follow
a set of instructions. The Help contents are incomplete. It is difficult
to implement correctly, and it requires practice to get it right.

I suggest you work on a copy of your database until you are comfortable with
it. Download and study the security FAQ and follow it to the letter.

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=207793

Security Whitepaper
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=148555

Although the whitepaper is old, it contains information to help you
understand security.

I've also outlined the detailed steps at
www.jmwild.com/AccessSecurity.htm