Tuesday, August 24, 2010

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.

Monday, August 16, 2010

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.

Friday, August 13, 2010

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.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

How to fix 'Can't find the database you specified...' error in MS Access 2007

Microsoft Access is an application which is used to create computer-based databases. The application creates a database file with an extension .MDB or .ACCDB (depending on the version). These files are vulnerable to corruption in many instances including application malfunction, abrupt system shutdown, virus attacks, application bugs and more. In such situations, you may find it hard to mount a database and access database records. Since these issues are always accompanied by various error messages, it becomes essential to isolate them. You can, therefore, use the inbuilt Compact and Repair feature to treat some corruption problems. But, in order to achieve best results, you must get hold of a third-party Access recovery application.

Consider a scenario, wherein, you try and open an existing Microsoft Access database by using a shortcut, and receive the following error message:

'Can't find the database you specified, or you didn't specify a database at all.

Specify a valid database name in the command line, and include a path if necessary.'

In order to identify the unique number associated with the error message, press Ctrl+Shift+I, and you will receive the following error code in the lower-right corner of this message:

502554

Cause

The above behavior can be witnessed in the following situations:

  • The shortcut points to an earlier or older version of MS Access database and you upgraded the earlier version of MS Office programs during the setup of a later version of MS Office.
  • The Norton anti-virus program was already installed when you installed MS Office Access 2007
  • Of if the database is corrupt

Resolution

You can observe the following steps to overcome the problem:


  • To fix the problem due to Access runtime application, remove Access, reinstall the Access runtime application, check you can use the shortcut to open the database of the runtime application
  • To fix the issue related to Norton anti-virus, follow these steps:
1.Remove Access
2.Remove Norton anti-virus software
3.Reinstall Access
4.Check that you can use the shortcut to open the database
5.Reinstall Norton anti-virus program
You can download repair software from the Internet and perform repairing on your own by following simple directions embedded in it. Such third-party Access repair tools are safe to use since they do not modify the original data.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

How to fix 'Record is deleted' error in MS Access 2000

Microsoft Access, which comes bundled with Microsoft Office suite of Applications, is a pseudo-relational database management system. The database creates either an .accdb or .mdb file. These files are prone to corruption in many scenarios including application malfunction, virus infection, operating system malfunction, and others. Also, when the database files are used in a multi-user environment, they have higher chances of becoming corrupt. An abrupt shutdown by a user can affect the records or tables. In such scenarios, you must look for the clean and updated backup copy of the database. However, if no backup is available, you must use the inbuilt compact and repair utility to repair the damaged Access database. If nothing seems working, then look for a third-party Access recovery software.

Consider a scenario, wherein, you try to open a table, query, form or report in a Access 2000 database (which is used in a multi-user environment), stored on a network or server, you may receive the following error:

"Record is deleted."

If the object is a table or query, you may receive another error message which goes like:

"Msaccess can't open the table in datasheet view."

And, if the object is a report, then you will also get the following error messages:

"Unable to carry out the command."

Or

"There was an error executing the command."

Cause

The above errors surface when either an object or database is damaged. Damage can occur, for example, if two users try to modify the same record in a table simultaneously, and one user quits MS Access by abruptly shutting down the system.

Resolution

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

Compact and repair database

1.In Access 2000, go to Tools menu, point to Database utilities, and then click Compact and Repair Database
2.In the Database to Compact Form dialog box, locate and then click the database which is generating the error messages, and then click Compact.
3.In the Compact Database Into dialog box, select an appropriate folder location for the new file, type a unique name for the file in the File name box, and then click Save.

The above method can work fine if there are minor damages in database, but in case of severe damages, you must consider opting for a professional Access repair utility. Such tools can recover damaged databases without modifying the original data.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

How to fix 'Unrecognized database format 'filename.mdb' error in MS Access

Microsoft Access is a widely-used desktop relational database application. The .mdb files created with this program contain tables, fields, data entry forms, queries, stored procedures, reports, and more. An .mdb file stores data as continuous pages with a fixed size. The first page, database definition page, holds the most important definitions of the database. And, if this page structure gets damaged due to any reason, Access will not be able to recognize and read pages in the file and will report an error. In such situations, it becomes important to repair corrupt .mdb file or access the data from a clean and updated backup. However, if no backup is available, then you must consider using an advanced Access recovery software.

Consider a practical scenario, wherein, you try and mount an Access database (related to your employees personal details) and receive the following error message:

Unrecognized database format 'filename.mdb'

In the above error, the filename.mdb refers to corrupt .mdb file. As a result of the error, you cannot access relevant information related to your employees.

Cause

There might be two possible reasons for this particular error:

1.The error can appear when you are trying to open the Access database in an earlier version instead of opening it in the newer version of MS Access
2.The error can also appear if your MS Access database is corrupt

Resolution

Try the following Access database recovery steps in order to access database information:

1.You must convert the database into the lower version of MS Access, using your current version. After converting, you can open the database with an older version.
2.In order to repair the corrupt Access database, you can use the inbuilt repair utility, Compact and Repair. Consider the following steps:
On the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities, and then click Compact and Repair Database.
In the Database to Compact From dialog box, specify the Access file you want to compact, and then click Compact.
In the Compact Database Into dialog box, specify a name, drive, and folder for the compacted Access file.
Click Save.
If after observing the above-mentioned steps, you still encounter the same error, download an Access repair software from the Internet.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Resolving 'The Microsoft Jet database engine could not find the object MSysDb...' Access error

The Microsoft Jet Database Engine is a database engine for many Microsoft applications including MS Access. It is the underlying component of Access. Microsoft Access 95, 97 create a Microsoft Jet 3.0 format database file, whereas, Access 2000, 2002 and 2003 versions create a Microsoft Jet 4.0 format database file. At times, you may encounter several errors while mounting your Access database files (.mdb or .accdb) or in worst scenarios you won't be able to even open MS Access application. Such situations surface due to corrupt Access database files and result in data inaccessibility. You can restore the data by using an updated backup. However, in the absence of a clean and valid backup, you are required to opt for an advanced Access recovery utility.

Consider a scenario, wherein, you are having an Access database in a multi-user environment, and when you try and open the application, you may receive the following error:

“The Microsoft Jet database engine could not find the object MsysDb. Make sure the object exists and that you spell its name and path name.”

The above error message would restrict you from mounting the Access database.

Cause

The root cause of the error could be .mdb or .accdb file corruption. These Jet database files become corrupt due to various reasons including interrupted read/write oepration, faulty networking hardware, or opening and saving the file in another program.

Resolution

In order to fix the problem, consider using the following Access database recovery Step:-

Take a backup of the affected Access database file
Run the built-in Compact and Repair utility (Jetcomp.exe), follow these steps:
1.Close the current database
2.On the Tools menu, point to Database utilities, and then click Compact and Repair database
3.In the Database to Compact From dialog box, specify the name, drive and folder for the compacted Access file
4.Click Save
5.Rebuilt the database by importing tables into a new database

If you don't get the desired results, you can always go for a third-party Access repair software. Such tools are designed to thoroughly scan corrupt .mdb or .accdb files by applying improved scanning algorithms and and extract all information.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Resolving 'An error occurred while loading Form_FormName...' error while upgrading to Access 2003

In Microsoft Access, you can enter data into tables in a quick and easiest way by using forms. You can create three types of forms in Access viz data entry-forms, switchboards and custom-dialog boxes. Thus, form is an important part of Microsoft Access database. At times, when you try and upgrade to a recent version of Microsoft Access, you may receive an error. As data becomes inaccessible, it becomes imperative for you to look for Access recovery strategies. You can use an updated backup to restore the corrupt database or use Compact and Repair inbuilt utility. If nothing works in your favor or you don't get the required results, it is recommended you switch to a third-party repair software.

Consider a practical scenario, wherein, you attempt to convert an Access 2002 (XP) database to Access 2003, you may receive the following error:

“An error occurred while loading Form_FormName. Do you want to continue?”

And, if you click Yes, you receive another error message which goes like:

“Invalid procedure call or argument”

Cause

The above error suggests that Microsoft Access 2002 (XP) database is corrupt.

Resolution

You can try the following Access database recovery steps in order to fix the problem:

Since Access 2002 and Access 2000 use different binaries for compile code, a decompile may work. (Microsoft Access keep two copies of the code i.e. text version and compiled version, if both are out of sync, you may come across strange errors. In such scenarios, a decompile helps by dumping the compiled version.)

1.Make a copy of the .MDB file while Access is not running
2.Use the Compact and Repair tool
3.Close Access. Open a command prompt and enter the following
“C:\Program Files\Microsoft office\office\msaccess.exe" /decompile "c:\My Documents\MyDatabase.mdb”
4.Again Compact
5.Try the conversion again, the error may not surface this time.

If you are not able to overcome the nagging problem, do not worry, go to the Internet and download a professional access repair utility. Such utilities are able to repair an MS Access database when it is not compiled or if it has got corrupted due to an external reason.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

How to repair corrupt Access 2000 database after failed database table export


In the databases, referential integrity is termed as the set of rules that ensures that you cannot delete or move a record in a table if a matching record is present in another table. It is a very useful feature that makes sure that there is no redundancy in the database. However, at times Access behaves in an inconsistent manner because of the referential integrity enforced upon itself by a database table. Such scenarios can lead to corruption in the database. Other reasons for database corruption could be virus infections, power outages, concurrent modifications from multiple users, etc. You should use in-house methods to resolve the problem. At times, you may not be able to repair the corrupted database yourself. In such cases, you should use a third-party Access database recovery software to perform recover Access database.

Consider a scenario wherein you have MS Access 2000 database. From this database, you try to export a table to another database but you fail to do so. An error message is displayed, that is:

“The Microsoft Jet Database Engine could not find the Object ". Make sure the object exists and that you spelled its name correctly.”

When you click OK on the error message, then the following error message is displayed:

An error occurred trying to export the data from table 'tablename'. The data was not exported.”
Cause:

The root cause of this erroneous situation is that the table that you want to export contains a self-join and Memo field. Moreover, you have imposed referential integrity on the table.

Resolution:

  • To resolve this error, you should perform the following steps:
  • Convert all the Memo fields in the table to Text fields, OR
  • Move all the Memo fields to another table, and then
  • Implement a 1:1 relationship between the tables to remove the referential integrity.

The problem would be resolved by using the mentioned steps. Now, try to export the table. It should be working fine now. However, if the problem is persisting then you should use a third-party MDB recovery software to recover Access database. Such read-only tools are able to extract the corrupted data from the Access file without overwriting the original file.