Access database corruption after conversion from 2003 to 2007 version

With Microsoft Access 2007, you can open and use databases created in earlier version viz Microsoft Access 2000, 2002 and 2003. Moreover, you can also convert databases created with earlier previous versions of Access into the new Office Access 2007 file format. The conversion or migration enable you to bank upon the new functionalities and features available in Access 2007. At times, you might face problems with the converted database. The major problems are corruption and data inaccessibility. To tackle such issues, you must have a clean and updated backup copy of the database. However, if no backup is available, you do not have a better option than grabbing a third-party Access recovery software.

Consider a scenario, wherein, you convert a database created with Microsoft Access 2003 to 2007 format. It works fine for a good number of days until you receive the following error message:

"Microsoft Office Access has detected that this database is in an inconsistent state, and will attempt to recover the database. During this process, a backup copy of the database will be made and all recovered objects will be placed in a new database. Access will then open a new database. The names of objects that were not successfully recovered will be logged in the 'Recovery Errors' Table."

In a multi-user environment, the affected database would become inaccessible to all the users following this error message.

Cause

The Access database is acting erratically as it has become corrupt. It could become corrupted owing to many reasons including abrupt system crashes, power fluctuations, application malfunctioning etc. Another reason could be simultaneous efforts to write or modify data at the same location by different users.

Resolution

The following steps will guide you in performing Access database recovery:

• Close the MS Access database file. If you are compacting a shared Access database which is located on a server or shared folder, make sure it is not opened by any other user.
• In the Tools menu, locate Database Utilities, and click Compact and Repair Database option
• Mention the name of the Access file you want to compact in the Database to Compact from dialog box and click Compact
• Click Save
• The original Access file gets replaced with the compacted version at the same location

If you do not get the satisfactory results from using the inbuilt Compact and Repair utility, then download an advanced Access recovery software from the Internet.

For instant and best results, you can blindly trust Stellar Phoenix Access Recovery. The application is designed to help you repair corrupt MDB or ACCDB files. This risk-free application supports MS Access 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000 and recovers all database components including tables, forms, reports etc.

How to resolve 'The database is in an unexpected state' Access 2003 error

If you use the CompactDatabase method to convert an Access database from an earlier version to a later version, you might come across database corruption issues. The ideal way to do conversion is using the Convert Database command. However, to tackle database corruption problem due to improper way of conversion, you must opt for a backup copy of a database. If a backup copy doesn't exist or is unavailable, then you can adopt certain Access recovery which help you retrieve information from a corrupt Access database. Another efficient and sure shot way to resolve corruption issue is employing third-party software. These tools enable you to repair and recover Access database in an efficient manner.

Let's consider a practical scenario, wherein, you are trying to open a database in Microsoft Access 2003 , and instead receive the following error message:

"The database is in an unexpected state."

As a result, you are unable to open the Access database in question and retrieve information from it. The error also suggests that there is an urgent need to perform Access database recovery .

Cause

You can come across the above error message and issue when you have used the DAO library to convert an Access database from an earlier version to later version by applying the CompactDatabase method instead of using the Convert Database command. The use of CompactDatabase method has left the new converted database in a partially converted or corrupt state.

Resolution

The following steps must be considered to isolate the problem:

• Take the backup copy of the original database and convert it using the Convert Database command. Here are the steps:

1.Copy the original database file and save it as a backup
2.Now start Access 2003
3.Go to Tools menu, click Database Utilities and click Convert Database, and click To Access 2003 file format
4.Click the MDB file you want to covert in the Database to Convert from dialog box, and finally click Convert
5.Type the name of the new database file in the Convert Database Into box and click Save

• In case you do not have the backup copy of the original database, you can run a professional Access recovery software on the corrupt or converted database.

Corrupt Access databases can be easily repaired by using a competent software like Stellar Phoenix Access Recovery. This application has been designed to enable Access users to get rid of database corruption issues whilst recovering information. Being comprehensive in nature, this Access database recovery application repairs all Access components including tables, macros, modules, forms etc.

How to resolve 'Cannot Find the File...' error while opening MDB file in Windows Explorer

Microsoft Access users must have encountered database corruption at one instance or the other. While advanced users have switched to more sophisticated database tools for large projects, Access is still used for smaller projects by small and medium sized businesses. Access stores each and every component of it - tables, queries, forms, reports etc - in an MDB file. An MDB file may become corrupt in many scenarios including application malfunction, abrupt system shutdown, power fluctuations etc. In such situations, you tend to lose data or information stored in a database. However, you can overcome a data loss situation easily if you have a backup copy of the affected database. And, if a backup is not available, then you must consider using Access database recovery strategies.

Consider a scenario, wherein, you double-click an Access 2002 application (.mdb) file in Microsoft Windows Explorer, you may receive the following error message:

"Cannot find the file (or one of its components).
Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available."

As a result of the above error message, you are unable to access data stored in the MDB file.

Cause

The above error can be encountered in the following conditions:

• When an Access application contains an AutoExec macro, and the macro ends with a Quit action
• Or when an Access database is corrupt

Resolution

To overcome the problem, you can execute the following Access recovery steps:

• You must click to clear the Use DDE option for file association properties of the Access application (MDB) file. To do this, follow these steps:

1.Run Windows Explorer
2.On the Tools menu, click Folder Options
3.Click the File Types tab
4.In the Registered file types list, locate and then select Microsoft Access Application, click Advanced
5.In the Actions list, click Open and then click Edit
6.Click to clear the Use DDE option, and then click OK
7.In the Edit File Type dialog box, click OK
8.In Folder Options, click Close

• If the above workaround doesn't help then it is evident that the MDB file is corrupt. In order to fix corruption issue and retrieve data, you must opt for a third-party Access database repair steps.