Could not open table 'MSysAccounts' in the workgroup information f

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I get this message when I try to open a new database. If I click help I get
this message :

"Could not open table 'MSysAccounts' in the workgroup information file.
(Error 3173)
This operation requires the System.mdw file, which contains the security and
option settings for Microsoft Jet database tables.

Possible causes:

The SystemDB value of the
\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Access\Jet\4.0\Engines\Jet
key in the Microsoft® Windows® Registry points to a network drive that is not
connected. Make sure the network drive is available, and then try the
operation again.
The System.mdw file is corrupted. If you have a backup copy of System.mdw,
copy it to the location specified in the SystemDB entry in the Registry. "

When I search my harddrive I can't find the "system.mdw" file anywhere. I
currently have a database that I can use, but I can't open any other
database, nor create a new one.
 
When you searched your harddrive, did you ensure you were searching hidden
and system folders?

You may be able to copy system.mdw from another computer that has 2000
installed.

Regarding the database you can use, is it secured? What mdw file is it
using if not system.mdw?

Was the problem database originally in version 2.0 and converted?
 
Thank you. I found the file (it was a hidden file). If I copy this file
then where should I paste it?

Concerning my current database. I created it in January and have finagled
my way through until today. I believe that this problem started when I got
into the security section and tried to turn off all security. I don't want
any security on this. I would like to back it up on a zip drive and run it
on any PC w/ Access.

Something interesting: I can only run the database from the shortcut. I
can't run it from the original file because I get the same error code. If I
create another shortcut it still gives me the error code. I copied the
target from the shortcut and here is the results:

working target (from original shortcut):

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\Documents and
Settings\Shawn Knapp.BENNETT-INDIANA\My Documents\Call Logs\Call Logs
2003.mdb" /WRKGRP "C:\Documents and Settings\Shawn Knapp.BENNETT-INDIANA\My
Documents\Call Logs\Security.mdw"

non-working target (from a new created shortcut) :

"C:\Documents and Settings\Shawn Knapp.BENNETT-INDIANA\My Documents\Call
Logs\Call Logs 2003.mdb"

If I copy and paste the target from the working shortcut into the
non-working shortcut then it will work.

The database was originally created from Office 96 (I think). I converted
it to 2003. I can't be sure if this was when the problem started.

Thank you for your time.
 
Shawn said:
Thank you. I found the file (it was a hidden file). If I copy this
file then where should I paste it?
Click to expand...

No, since you found it on your computer, no need to copy it anywhere.

Use Start, Run, wrkgadm.exe and make sure you are currently joined to this
system.mdw (double check the path). This will make the system.mdw the
default, which is what you want.
Concerning my current database. I created it in January and have
finagled my way through until today. I believe that this problem
started when I got into the security section and tried to turn off
all security. I don't want any security on this. I would like to
back it up on a zip drive and run it on any PC w/ Access.
Click to expand...

Understand that Access always uses security. It uses system.mdw out of the
box, and silently logs you in as the Admin user. Every installation of
Access uses this. When you implement security, you create a new mdw file,
and use this one for the secured mdb.
Something interesting: I can only run the database from the
shortcut. I can't run it from the original file because I get the
same error code.
Click to expand...

Yes this makes sense. The shortcut that is working, utilizes the /wrkgrp
switch to tell Access to use your secure.mdw for that session of Access.
Since your mdb is secured, and you are using the correct mdw, you get in.

When you try to open the file directly, it uses your default system.mdw.
You are silently logged in as Admin, and Admin doesn't have any permissions
in your secure mdb (and rightly so).
If I create another shortcut it still gives me the
error code. I copied the target from the shortcut and here is the
results:

working target (from original shortcut):

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE"
"C:\Documents and Settings\Shawn Knapp.BENNETT-INDIANA\My
Documents\Call Logs\Call Logs 2003.mdb" /WRKGRP "C:\Documents and
Settings\Shawn Knapp.BENNETT-INDIANA\My Documents\Call
Logs\Security.mdw"
Click to expand...

The /wrkgrp switch tells access to use security.mdw, and you can login.
non-working target (from a new created shortcut) :

"C:\Documents and Settings\Shawn Knapp.BENNETT-INDIANA\My
Documents\Call Logs\Call Logs 2003.mdb"
Click to expand...

This one will use your default mdw, which in the workgroup administrator is
set to system.mdw - That workgroup doesn't contain an authenticated user so
it fails.

This is working as it should. It just appears that it can't find the
system.mdw.

Try Start, Run, wrkgadm.exe Click on Join and navigate to the location of
system.mdw that you found in your search in the hidden folder.

Can you now open Access and create a new mdb?

If not, then try copying system.mdw from the hidden folder to c:\Program
Files\Common Files\System folder (that's where mine is). Rerun wrkgadm.exe
and join it in this location.

If that is still a problem, then copy it to c:\Documents and
Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Access folder and again Join it
in this location.
The database was originally created from Office 96 (I think). I
converted it to 2003. I can't be sure if this was when the problem
started.
Click to expand...

Probably Office 97.

If you still want to remove all security, use the desktop shortcut to login
to your secure mdb. Grant full permissions to all objects for the Users
Group. Close Access. Now reopen Access (not using the shortcut). Create a
new mdb and import all objects from your secure mdb. This new mdb will be
unsecured and you are safe to delete secure.mdw and your old secure mdb.
 
Joan,
Wow, I'm really getting somewhere. Thank you. I try running "wrkgadm.exe"
from my Start / Run Menu (XP) but I don't think that I have the file. I
searched for it and it's no where to be found. Where can I get the file?
Thanks
 
My apologies; somewhere I got the impression you were using version 2000.

In 2003, there is no separate wrkgadm.exe - it's now built into Access.
Open Access and go to Tools, Security, Workgroup Administrator.
 
Hi,

I'm encountering this same issue in MS Access 2007. (running Windows XP)

I found my system file in C:\Documents and Settings\KIMBERLY.CONNER\Application Data\Microsoft\Access, but it won't allow me to run "wrkgadm.exe".

I also don't see a "Tools - Security" option... Is it different in 2007?

Also, I can't open any databases (established or new). I get this error consistently.

Thank you!
Kim
 
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