The creator of our database left years ago, and we want to update it!

[mark.rainbow]

The guy who created our database is no longer contactable, and we are
left with a database that is really not quite fitting our needs any
more, so we'd like to have a crack at updating it ourselves (I would
like to take a copy of the database and the current data 'as is' for
the purposes of development, so we don't mess with the current
system).

The database loads straight into a Switchboard in Form View, and I
cannot find a way to switch to Design View. The main screen tells me
that I am a member of Admins and Users, and clicking a "Users and
Groups", then clicking "Display User Names" gives a "Compile error in
hidden module" error.

About me: I am not an experienced database programmer, but I do have
some experience in general programming (mainly Java).

 

[Rainboy]

Sorry, I've just reread that and realised that my question may not
have been clear!

My problem is that I don't know how to get in to Design View, to be
able to redesign the database.

Many thanks!

 

[Rick Brandt]

Sorry, I've just reread that and realised that my question may not
have been clear!

My problem is that I don't know how to get in to Design View, to be
able to redesign the database.

Many thanks!

If what you have is an MDB then hold the shift key while opening it to see if
that exposes the standard interface (db windows and menus/toolbars). If so,
then you're good to go.

If you have an MDE then you must locate the MDB that was used to create it. The
only thing you can change in an MDE is the tables and queries.

If the file is an MDB but has Access User Level Security applied to it to
prevent access to design view on the objects then you will need to login as a
user that has design privileges.

 

[Rainboy]

Many thanks for that Rick!

Having tried those suggestions, I can report that:

- holding shift appears to make no difference.
- the filename has a .mdb extension
- the documentation suggests that the database has Access User Level
Security applied (I don't know how to check for sure).

When I open the database, no login screen is presented, so I assume
that it logs me in according to my XP login. The main screen of the
database tells me that my User Name is "Admin", and that I am a Member
of "Admins" and "Users".

There is no View button on the toolbar, the only menus are File, Edit,
Insert, Records, Window and Help, and pressing F5 does nothing.

As it tells me I am a Member of "Admins", I am assuming that I should
be able to alter the database design. It gives me no chance to login
as anyone else, so it leaves me at a bit of a loss!

Any further help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rick Brandt]

Many thanks for that Rick!

Having tried those suggestions, I can report that:

- holding shift appears to make no difference.
- the filename has a .mdb extension
- the documentation suggests that the database has Access User Level
Security applied (I don't know how to check for sure).

When I open the database, no login screen is presented, so I assume
that it logs me in according to my XP login. The main screen of the
database tells me that my User Name is "Admin", and that I am a Member
of "Admins" and "Users".

There is no View button on the toolbar, the only menus are File, Edit,
Insert, Records, Window and Help, and pressing F5 does nothing.

If the startup options have disabled all default menus and toolbars that is what
one would expect. It doesn't sound like the designer used security but simply
set a property on the file that disables the use of the shift key. If that is
the case then you might be able to re-enable shift key using Albert Kallal's
tool at this web site...

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/msaccess.html

As it tells me I am a Member of "Admins", I am assuming that I should
be able to alter the database design. It gives me no chance to login
as anyone else, so it leaves me at a bit of a loss!

If it shows Admin as a member of Admins then security is not the issue and
re-enabling the shift key as described above is almost certainly what you need
to do.

 

[Rainboy]

Ha! Perfect, that little shift-enabling tool has done the trick very
nicely!

Nice troubleshooting skills Rick, and thank you very much indeed!

Kindest regards

Mark.