It might be obvious to many, but the error message Access gives when failing to convert to an MDE is, erm, vague at best... After a little searching I found the following info to be useful. Having used it on a couple of databases it worked without the "decompile" option needing to be carried out but I leave it in for completeness. The full article can be found at Use a backup though (as always good practice).
Although this was written for Access 97 it works for 2k3 with no changes and likely for other versions of Access. Ensure your databse is in the same format as the version of Access before attempting to convert to an MDE.
Simon
Begin Excerpt
Database is corrupt
It is quite common to discover that a working Access 97 database is partially corrupt, and will not convert. Decompile:
1. Make a backup copy of your mdb file.
2. While Access is not running, enter something like this at the command prompt.
It is one line, and include the quotes:
"c:\Program Files\Microsoft office\office\msaccess.exe" /decompile "c:\MyPath\MyDatabase.mdb"
Then close this instance of Access.
3. Open the database, and compact: Tools | Database Utilities | Compact.
4. Press Ctrl+G to open the Immediate Window.
From the Debug menu, choose Compile and Save All Modules.
Solve any issues until the mdb does compile.
5. Close Access 97. Open your new version, and try the conversion again.
If the database still does not convert, repeat steps 1 - 3 to decompile again. Then create a new (blank) database in your new version, and import everything as described in .
Although this was written for Access 97 it works for 2k3 with no changes and likely for other versions of Access. Ensure your databse is in the same format as the version of Access before attempting to convert to an MDE.
Simon
Begin Excerpt
Database is corrupt
It is quite common to discover that a working Access 97 database is partially corrupt, and will not convert. Decompile:
1. Make a backup copy of your mdb file.
2. While Access is not running, enter something like this at the command prompt.
It is one line, and include the quotes:
"c:\Program Files\Microsoft office\office\msaccess.exe" /decompile "c:\MyPath\MyDatabase.mdb"
Then close this instance of Access.
3. Open the database, and compact: Tools | Database Utilities | Compact.
4. Press Ctrl+G to open the Immediate Window.
From the Debug menu, choose Compile and Save All Modules.
Solve any issues until the mdb does compile.
5. Close Access 97. Open your new version, and try the conversion again.
If the database still does not convert, repeat steps 1 - 3 to decompile again. Then create a new (blank) database in your new version, and import everything as described in .
