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.