Power Key Error

[cfcanter]

We have a Lotus Approach database on a shared drive. When we try to open it we get the message a "This file was last saved with a previous version of Lotus. Do you want to convert it to Lotus Approach 3.0?" We respond yes. We get a message "Couldn't find the power key for the database."

When our IT professional looked at the system he said the database was still there. Unfortunately it appears the power key is missing.

Does anybody knwo the problem and the solution? We need to get this file up and running?

Also, is it possible to open this file in MS Access? I am familiar with that program and can provide support for it.


Thank you
Craig Canter
Controller
CertainTeed Pipe and Plastics
Lodi, CA

Craig Canter
Cost Accountant
Sipex
Milpitas, CA

 

[paulbent]

Approach 3.0 is an old 16 bit version, discontinued 7 years ago. It succeeded 2.1. Which version are you using?

One thing you can try is renaming powerkey.dat in the Approach program folder to powerkey.old. Then start Approach and it will rebuild a new file.

If the error persists, the Approach view (.apr)file may be corrupted. Do you have a good backup? The data is stored in .dbf and .dbt files, .adx files are Approach indexes for the data files. You can open the data files in MS Access but you can't open or convert the Approach views.

Paul Bent
Northwind IT Systems
http;//

http://www.northwindit.co.uk