Help! Database lock-out

[Guest]

Greetings-

I have a serious problem with an Access Database. This database is used
company wide to create specific documents. Suddenly, last week no one was
able to access the database. When you try to open it you get this error
message:

"The <path> Database needs to to be repaired or isn't a database. You or
another user may have unexpectedly quit Microsoft Office Access while a
Microsoft Access database was open. Do you want MS Office Access to attempt
to repair the database?"

When you click yes, you get:

"You attempted to open a database that is already opened exclusively by user
'Admin' on machine 'NBNW1337'. Try again when the database is available."

Now, here's the problem. User NBNW1337 is not actually in Access. And the
'user' changes from time to time. All users are out of the database, but we
keep getting this message. IT cannot get in because this 'user' has everyone
locked out.

OK, so now you click OK. Then you get:

"The database <path>.mdb can't be repaired or isn't a MS Office Access
database file."

So, my question is, does anyone know how I can remedy this situation,
somehow unlock the program so we can all have access to Access once again??

Please help!

Regards,
Dominick

 

[Guest]

This is why you do your weekly or daily backups. In addition, for multiple
users, utilizing a split database is imperative.

However, it sounds as if you have done neither of these. In that case, you
might try opening a new (blank) database, and try importing the tables from
your old database. If that works, then try importing the queries and forms.
You may have to do it one table/query/form at a time, depending on how
schizophrenic the database has become. Good luck.

 

[Joseph Meehan]

Greetings-

I have a serious problem with an Access Database. This database is
used company wide to create specific documents. Suddenly, last week
no one was able to access the database. When you try to open it you
get this error message:

"The <path> Database needs to to be repaired or isn't a database.
You or another user may have unexpectedly quit Microsoft Office
Access while a Microsoft Access database was open. Do you want MS
Office Access to attempt to repair the database?"

When you click yes, you get:

"You attempted to open a database that is already opened exclusively
by user 'Admin' on machine 'NBNW1337'. Try again when the database
is available."

Now, here's the problem. User NBNW1337 is not actually in Access.
And the 'user' changes from time to time. All users are out of the
database, but we keep getting this message. IT cannot get in because
this 'user' has everyone locked out.

OK, so now you click OK. Then you get:

"The database <path>.mdb can't be repaired or isn't a MS Office Access
database file."

So, my question is, does anyone know how I can remedy this situation,
somehow unlock the program so we can all have access to Access once
again??

Please help!

Regards,
Dominick

A couple of ideas to try.

First is there a backup? There should always be a backup. In the event
there is no backup please use this event as a learning experience. Always
have a plan B (B is for Backup).

Now for plan A. Copy the file to a different directory. Never work on
the original as you may need plan C (C is for cry). Make a new empty file
and see if you can copy data out of the old one. Then try copying forms
etc.

Finally is plan D (Database recovery service $$$)

I am no super expert, so please keep reading responses and see if
someone has other better ideas. Do however make a copy of the original so
you can try various things on it. BTW it might just work after you copy it.
If it does come back and maybe I can explain why.

 

[Guest]

Tony Toews has an excellent web page on database corruption.
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/corruptmdbs.htm

Allen Brown also has excellent info on corruption.
http://allenbrowne.com/ser-47.html

I have a white paper in a Word document named Fix Corrupt Access Database
towards the bottom this page:
http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/OtherLibraries.asp

 

[Guest]

You may try to look at where the database is located and see if there is a
*.ldb file there this could prevent you from doing the repair. Just delete
this file and then try to open the database. It is also a good idea to back
up the database daily so that you can only lose one days worth of info if
anything should happen.

 

[sunhealth]

Hi, if you check the folder you will see that their is a lock in place.
The easest way to remove the lock is to have the network people take it
off. Then you can open the database and and do a compact and repair.