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Default Administrative Password for system.mdw?!?!

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Chucklez

Programmer
Jul 25, 2002
104
US
I have a secure access database that was created by a member of my it department before he left our company. I cannot get into his .mdb to make changes, so I am planning to copy and rename my system.mdw as the .mdw of his application, and open it using my renamed system.mdw.

I hope you follow my logic so far.

The problem I am having now, what is the default system.mdw password for the admninistrator?

I have attempted to look at the password for administrator in the old database, but the password is encrypted.

I hope I havent confused anyone to bad, or if you have any questions or ideas, please give them to me.

Thanks,
-Chuck
 
MP9,

Can I shoot you a quick e-mail about these services?


Jeremy
jeremy@ymerej.com =============
Jeremy Wallace
Designing, Developing, and Deploying Access Databases Since 1995

Take a look at the Developer's section of the site for some helpful fundamentals.


Remember to reward helpful tips with the stars they deserve.
 
Sure, go ahead and send it to:
chuck@computerteam.com

 
No this won't work.

The system.mdw hold the user and group list, password information and userID'd

That data is then used in the database file as reference for permissions. i.e. UserID ???? has permissions fro table1 etc.

That means to replace the system.mda you'd have to know the UserID's. Then you would be able to build your own system mda with the correct UserID's but your own password.

If UserID's have not been written down then you will have to find a way to crack the system mda. There are probably methods out there.
 
Sorry, forgot, to add to all that the system mda has an ID that must also be identical to the original.

The only exception to this is if the system mda (mdw) was created without an ID (like the default) in which case you could replace it with another.
 
Chuck,

Hmm. I got confused by your e-mail. I had meant to get in touch with mp9 off line. In any case, you get what I was after.

Also, though, you should know that any database secured using the system.mdw is NOT secure. Simply blowing away the system.mdw and recreating it will allow any user to get into the database. (There may be one or two more hoops to jump through, but if memory serves, that's all there is to it).

Jeremy =============
Jeremy Wallace
Designing, Developing, and Deploying Access Databases Since 1995

Take a look at the Developer's section of the site for some helpful fundamentals.


Remember to reward helpful tips with the stars they deserve.
 
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