Solved Microsoft Access

bogart · Dec 30, 2010

Having just installed Microsoft Office 2007 to replace Microsoft Office 2003 I find I cannot open an Access file with a .mdb extension

I have researched it a bit and have been told that I must use Windows Internet Explorer or Microsoft Office Access 2003 or earlier.

Now I always thought that Microsoft software was backward compatible, ie I assumed that 2007 would be able to open files created under 2003, apparently not so.
Hence my question is how to I get .mdb files to open?

Thanks

richc46 · Dec 30, 2010

Welcome
This may help for a bit
Office Online File Converters and Viewers - Downloads - Microsoft Office
We also have a database of extensitons that can be used. I will find out if we have mdb, as its not on the master list.
EDIT: Someone is looking into the problem now, please be patient. I have contacted our expert in Associations.

Brink · Dec 30, 2010

Hello Bogart,

Are you able to open the .mdb file from within Access?

You might check in Default Programs to make sure that the .mdb file extension is set to have Access (MSACCESS.EXE) as it's "Current default" program. The screenshots below are for Office 2010, but it should be similar if not the same.

If you cannot get it to open, then if you like, upload and attach the .mdb file in a ZIP file to your reply post. Afterwards, I'll be happy to open in Office 2010, save it in a format of your choice that you would be able to open, and upload it back for you. I'll delete the posted file after you give confirmation that you downloaded it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

richc46 · Dec 30, 2010

Thanks for your help, Shawn.

bogart · Dec 30, 2010

Hi

Thanks for the help guys. I'm sure somewhere I am just a click away from the solution but again who knows.
Brink on your topic of default programs, I looked at mine and Office doesn't have any associated programs! Plus I cannot associate it to any.
Very odd.. anyway have attached offending file as ZIP as requested.

Many thanks

Brink · Dec 30, 2010

Bogart,

I opened it in Access 2010, but there's nothing in it?

bogart · Dec 31, 2010

Yes on mine I just get a bank screen saying some content of database disabled.

I click to enable it and get as you say a blank screen. There is definitely 1MB of data in this file. As I stated I used to use it within Office 2003. If I mess about I get a message saying can only be opened with IE or Access 2003. Well IE does not work.
Looks like I will have try to obtain a copy of Access 2003 from somewhere.
So much for backward compatability!

Thanks for all your help

richc46 · Dec 31, 2010

Did those converters that I presented in my first post help at all?

Brink · Dec 31, 2010

Bogart,

I downloaded and installed Access 2003 in a virtual machine and was able to convert your file to a RTF file that you can open in WordPad in Vista.

I sent you an email with the RTF file attached since I didn't want to post your personal information in the open forum.

bogart · Dec 31, 2010

richc46 said:
Did those converters that I presented in my first post help at all?

Sorry to say no but I'm not surprised what with Microsoft!

bogart · Dec 31, 2010

Many thanks Brink. Got your email and downloaded the file. I find odd doesn't open in Word but does in Wordpad. Again Microsoft in their own world.

Happy New Year to all you guys and thanks once again.

Brink · Dec 31, 2010

You're most welcome Bogart.

I hope that you have a great and safe New Year as well.

pacinitaly · Jan 5, 2011

Very kind and helpful of you Shawn !

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