Thanks for explaining further. A few options to consider:
1. You can return to running the 2000 version under Access2003; works just
fine and there are few, if any features that you'll miss.
2. I suspect the previous designer (unwisely, since Shift-Enter is a built
in key combination that is already defined for another purpose - Save
Record) put in a macro that displays the database window - the collection of
tables/queries/forms/etc. Access 2003 can be fussy about macro security.
Try lowering the security level and that macro may work again.
3. Holding down the Shift key while opening the database will bypass any
opening code/macro that turns off the menus, hides the database window,
toolbars, etc.
4. Pressing the F11 key will (in almost all circumstances) open the database
window.
5. Be sure that you're running an MDB, not an MDE (which is a "locked down"
version of a database).
6. No one, even you, should be doing data entry at the table level. Have a
well designed data structure (well thought-out tables and relationships) and
depend on well designed forms to ease/control what data is added/edited.
Once you're able to get control back for development, why not have a
front-end just for you (and other selected few) that eliminates all those
pseudo-controls.
-Ed