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PerfishentFlag for United States of America

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Up Convert Access .mdb file to .accdb

I'm trying to convert an old Access 2002 .mdb file to an Access 2010 .accdb file. I already decoded the file using Access 2003.

The file uses a .mdw file for workgroup security and runs by clicking a link file that has the following link text:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\MSACCESS.EXE" "Y:\General\Check Requests\Database\Check Requests.mdb" /WRKGRP "Y:\General\Check Requests\Database\Secured.mdw"

Microsoft's instructions for up converting are contained on this page: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/convert-a-database-to-the-accdb-file-format-HA010341552.aspx

When I try to Save and Publish the file as a .accdb file, I get the following error message:

"Could not use 'Y:\General\Check Requests\Database\Check Requests.mdb'; file already in use."

No one else has the file open, and I have to have the file open to convert it.
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peter57r
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Putting aside your problem for one moment, I take it you know that user level security is not available for accdb files.
Try this:

First, run the procedure below on your existing A2002/3 db, and resolve any issues.
Then:
Create a brand new empty ACCDB, then Import all objects (except any linked tables) from the A2002/2003 (which ever it is) into the new container.  Then run this procedure on the ACCDB and resolve any issues.


Open the VBA Editor and from the menu ...Tools>>References ....
If you see any listed as **Missing: <reference name>, including the asterisks and the word Missing, the
you need to fix that first.

Then, follow this procedure:

****
0) **Backup your MDB BEFORE running this procedure**
****
1) Compact and Repair the MDB, as follows:
Hold down the Shift key and open the MDB, then from the menu >>Tools>>Database Utilities>>Compact and Repair ...
Close the mdb after the Compact & Repair.
2) Execute the Decompile (See example syntax below) >> after which, your database will reopen.
3) Close the mdb
4) Open the mdb and do a Compact and Repair (#1 above).
5) Close the mdb.
6) Open the mdb:
    a) Right click over a 'blank' area of the database window (container) and select Visual Basic Editor. A new window will open with the title 'Microsoft Visual Basic' ... followed by then name of your MDB.
    b) From the VBA Editor Menu at the top of the window:
       >>Debug>>Compile
        Note ... after the word Compile ...you will see the name of your 'Project' - just an fyi.

7) Close the mdb
8) Compact and Repair one more time.

*** Executing the DeCompile **EXAMPLE**:
Here is an **example** of the command line syntax  (be SURE to adjust your path and file name accordingly) before executing the decompile:

Run this from Start>>Run, enter the following command line - **all on one line** - it may appear like two lines here in the post:
Also, the double quotes are required.

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Msaccess.exe" /decompile "C:\Access2003Clients\YourMdbNameHERE.mdb"

For more detail on the Decompile subject ... visit the Master on the subject (and other great stuff) Michael Kaplan:

http://www.trigeminal.com/usenet/usenet004.asp?1033

AND ...
Once you get familiar with the Decompile idea (and ALWAYS make a BACKUP first!) ... you can add both Decompile and Compact/Repair to the Right Click menus in Windows Explorer, which I use multiple times daily:

Getting the Decompile and Compact context menu options
http://access.mvps.org/access/modules/mdl0039.htm

mx
Avatar of Perfishent

ASKER

Can the .mdb be converted to .accdb without the user-level security?
That is what will happen automatically if you save the mdb as an accdb.
I suppose I must say 'should' rather than 'will' based on the inconsistency of Office these days.
umm ... I don't think you will be able to access the ACCDB w/o the mdw file ...

mx
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Boyd (HiTechCoach) Trimmell, Microsoft Access MVP 2010-2015
Boyd (HiTechCoach) Trimmell, Microsoft Access MVP 2010-2015
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We need the user-level security on the database, so I'm going to leave it in .mdb format.