Enable Security -> Workgroup Administrator option

[SweetDot]

Hi,

I have just taken over a database from a person who has just left the company. He has set the permissions on that Access 2000 project that no users can modify the permissions to access tables, queries etc. I need to get in to give an user access to a report, but Tools -> Security - >workgroup Administrator is greyed out for me. I don't have the pervious programmer's password. Is there a way for me to add myself as an administrator?

Thanks in advance

 

[lupins46]

No.

You need the username and password of an administrator to get into the application.
If you can't get those details from the previous admin then you will have to search for assistance on the net. No-one in a conventional support forum will be able to assist you in breaking in to a secured application.

 

[SweetDot]

I see, thanks very much though.

 

[rubbernilly]

conventional"


...


Is that a code word?

Are you advising him to do something... how do you say... "unconventional"?

 

[SweetDot]

OK, I thought if I got the network security people to get me the previous admin's login I would be able to change the permission, but now I have it, and Security -> Workgroup Administrator still doesn't show up. I can't find the .mdw file anywhere, should I be creating a new database and importing the data over?

 

[lupins46]

Access cannot operate without an mdw file so there must be one somewhere, if only system.mdw.

If the normal Access login screen appeared and you were able to enter the username and password and gain access to the app then you are definitely using a customised mdw file. If you are starting the app from a desktop shortcut then have a look at that and see if there are any clues.

It is possible, with Access security, for the developer to use two different workgroup files; one for his use which would contain a username and password which gave full permissions to him in that database, and another mdw file which was issued to the user which does not contain that username and so makes it impossible for anyone to login with that username. If there is some acrimony involved with the previous admin, I would have thought that a friendly letter from your lawyers would prompt a response.