Can't open database file

[robmob]

Earlier today when we came back to the office on starting up Actrinic v9.03 we got the following message:

Actinic failed to open the database DSN=ActinicCatalog9.
The database may be corrupt or the version may be newer than expected.
This prevents Actinic working.

The error was:

Not a valid password.
Driver's SQLSetConnectAttr failed

Please refer to the troubleshooting section in the MU Installation and User guide for possible solutions.

We attempted to use the Mole-end repair tool but withour success. We contacted Actinic Support who ran us through a number of options all of which failed to rectify.

They then advised a re-install of Actinic which we have done on all machines. We didn't have a recent snapshot so had to do a copy site one folder and after having done the re-install we have copied the contents back only to be greeted with the same message.

I can only assume that it must be the .mdb file - which we can open in access still.

Can anyone suggest any other ideas - please.

Many thanks

Rob

[Rich Brady]

Have you tried repairing the database in Access?

[TraceyHand]

You haven't said what other options Actinic support ran through with you so I could be suggesting something you've already done.

Have you tried renaming the .mdb and using one of the previous ones instead? either backup.mdb or previous.mdb (or both)

Presumably, if the .mdb is at fault, the previous.mdb should be a better bet as it is, in theory, a working copy?

[robmob]

Yes have tried repair in access as well. Unfortunatley when I repaired in access I managed to use the same backup name as my .mdb backup file so overwrote the backup file, I think, as I have tried to do the name changes as well with no effect.

Actinic just asked me to open the files from the Run Command and from access and when that didn't work advised me to re-install completely.

I am praying there is a solution.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Rob

[Rich Brady]

What about previous.mdb as Tracey mentioned?

[robmob]

what is previous.mdb?

Rob

[robmob]

I can't find a previous.mdb in the site1 folder that I copied earlier. Will the re-install actinic support advised me to do have removed the previous.mdb?

Rob

[TraceyHand]

you stored a copy of the site1 folder somewhere safe before reinstalling, I assume?
And you can't find a previous.mdb in that?

[robmob]

Yep - stored copy of site1 folder but no previous.mdb in it.

Rob

[Jan]

It does sound like a corrupt database to me, as the usual options have failed, it might be worth contacting support again and asking them to take a look at your database.

Regards,

[robmob]

Thanks Jan - a glimmer of hope - I hope so as I have just looked at the backup files on the server and for whatever reason the last dated file is 7/2 - so I also need to get that looked at as well. They say things come in three's - I hope not!

Thanks everyone for your input.

Rob

[robmob]

I've just noticed something which might (or might not) be relevant. When opening the .mdb file in access it immediate asks me for the database password for it will open - which I can't recall it ever doing before. I also note the error message references the term "password" - could this be linked - is there a way or removing the password from within access?

Rob

[robmob]

BINGO - just had a look at access and saw that there is a Security settings option - clicking on that it has an Unset Password option. Needs to have the database as being Open Exclusive which I went back and did - it then allowed me to unset the Administrator password that had somehow attached to it and hey presto I can now open up the file.

Now to take an immediate snapshot and store safely - and then next door to the pub for a celebratory drink (or two)

Once again many many thanks for everyones input.

Rob

[Rich Brady]

Glad you got it sorted. Remember to snapshot too often rather than not often enough.

I take on every 15-20 mins when making a lot of changes...