H E L P !!  I have an access database, stored on a file server running Novell 4.11.  Within the 

database, an *.mda file was created to control permissions, establish users, etc.  We used this 

control to limit access to certain areas of the database (some areas contained sensitive data 

about employees, company finances, etc.).  We gave exclusive rights to two people (other 

than the "creator" of the database) to be able to change the design of the switchboards, 

queries, reports, assign new users, create groups, compact the database, etc.  



Both the database and the *.mda file are stored on the same file server, but in different 

folders.  The Access software is installed on each individual desktop.  Once this *.mda file was 

"joined", the individual's user name and password had to be entered in order to run Access, 

regardless if the individual was attempting to open our database or another database.  



The database was originally created in Access 95.  We successfully translated it into Access 97.  

When we translated the database to Access 2000, the original "creator" nor the two other 

"administrators"can make any of the above mentioned changes.  Additionally, when we select 

Tools, Security, User and Group Accounts, we receive an error stating: "Record(s) cannot be 

read; no read permission on MsysAccounts".  After clicking OK three times, the User and Group 

Accounts dialog box comes up, but all of the individual users and groups no longer appear.  If 

you choose either tab, the above mentioned error message reappears. Under the "User and 

Group Permissions" the same error message appears, but requires only one click to access 

that dialog box which shows all of our objects (macros, reports, queries, tables, etc) but does 

not show any of our users or groups.



When attempting to revise a report, we select the report, click on the design button and get 

the following error message: "You do not have exclusive access to the database at this time. If 

you proceed to make changes, you may not be able to save them later".  



We no longer have the password that was used to establish the original *.mda file when the 

original users and groups were established.   We do have the original "creator's" user name 

and password..



This database has approximately 10,000 entries and the above mentioned difficulties are 

becoming quite a problem as we add employees, have additional users who need special 

reports, we need to add users, etc.



Any ideas?  You can e-mail me directly at donlong@i..., call me at 615-346-3411, 

write to me at Don Long, P.O. Box 40527, Nashville, TN 37204 ... thanks!

Additional Information:



If we join the default *.mdw file, we can create a new database, set up new group, users, etc.



Additionally, I also have located the original "Creator's" Name and Workgroup ID, so I can now create 

new *.mdw (*.mda) files.



I still can not resolve the issues in my previous posting.