Why does Access always asks for a password? Help!

[Guest]

This is crazy. I installed some updates to Windows. Restarted the computer,
and now Access won't let me open a file or create a new one without entering
a login name and password. I reinstalled Office to no avail. I downloaded
"Access Password - Pro" but it tells me that my files are not password
protected. Basically, I cannot use Access because the whole program seems to
be password protected.

Any ideas on what to do?

 

[Keith Wilby]

This is crazy. I installed some updates to Windows. Restarted the
computer,
and now Access won't let me open a file or create a new one without
entering
a login name and password. I reinstalled Office to no avail. I downloaded
"Access Password - Pro" but it tells me that my files are not password
protected. Basically, I cannot use Access because the whole program seems
to
be password protected.

Any ideas on what to do?

Someone has either modified the default workgroup file, system .mdw or used
the workgroup admin tool to point Access to a custom mdw file.

If the former, well you don't say what versions of Access/Windows you're
running but in A2003 on XP you can try deleting system.mdw. Access should
create a new and unmodified one for you. Of course, if you're sharing a
machine and the other user needs the modified mdw file then you'd better
consult them first.

If the latter then use the workgroup admin tool to point Access back to the
default system.mdw file. You might want to find out who made the change in
the first place.

HTH - Keith.
www.keithwilby.com

 

[Guest]

Thank you for responding. Yes, I am using A2003 on XP. How do I delete the
system.mdw? I mean, what is the actual file called? I searched for everything
ending in "mdw" but not sure which file. Sorrry for the stupid question if it
seems such. Thanks again for your help, too.

 

[Joan Wild]

So you have a number of *.mdw files on your computer?

Open Access, and go to Tools, Security, Workgroup Administrator. That will
tell you which one you are joined to by default. Try joining one of the
other ones you found.

You are trying to rejoin the standard system.mdw that ships with Access. It
is usually found in the windows system folder, or perhaps in C:\Documents
and Settings\YourUserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Access