I have created some sort of User level security that I cant remove! Please help...

21 Aug 2006 1:38 PM

alan_conoco

Hello all,

I have created a stupid problem for myself which I cannot fix, I would
greatly appreciate your help.

I have an Access database which is avaialble over a LAN. I have been
experimenting with security settings (by running the 'One step security
wizard') and have created some sort of User level security that I
cannot now remove.

On machine 1 (Win NT, Access 2000) I can open my database with no
problems at all using any windows user profile.

On machine 2 (Win XP, Access 2003) I can open my database as above when
logged onto windows with userProfile1.
However when logged onto windows with userProfile2 access prompts me
for a username and password when I try to open the database.
Depsite my 'One-step Security Wizard Report' showing blank password
fields for all the users I set up (inlcuding this Windows profile) it
will not allow me in, returning a message box which displays 'Not a
valid account name or password' . Furthermore, my backups (up to 1
month back, different file names) have inherited this problem.
What is most frustrating is that when I am logged onto this machine,
with userProfile1, and have the database open (which didnt ask me for a
password) if I select Tools->Security->User and Group Accounts only the
Access default user (Admin) is shown!

Unfortunately I have to run this database on machine2 with userProfile2
for resource reasons, any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

Alan

21 Aug 2006 1:56 PM

Keith Wilby

<alan_con***@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
Show quoteHide quote

news:1156167527.328044.270260@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Hello all,
>
> I have created a stupid problem for myself which I cannot fix, I would
> greatly appreciate your help.
>
> I have an Access database which is avaialble over a LAN. I have been
> experimenting with security settings (by running the 'One step security
> wizard') and have created some sort of User level security that I
> cannot now remove.
>
> On machine 1 (Win NT, Access 2000) I can open my database with no
> problems at all using any windows user profile.
>
> On machine 2 (Win XP, Access 2003) I can open my database as above when
> logged onto windows with userProfile1.
> However when logged onto windows with userProfile2 access prompts me
> for a username and password when I try to open the database.
> Depsite my 'One-step Security Wizard Report' showing blank password
> fields for all the users I set up (inlcuding this Windows profile) it
> will not allow me in, returning a message box which displays 'Not a
> valid account name or password' . Furthermore, my backups (up to 1
> month back, different file names) have inherited this problem.
> What is most frustrating is that when I am logged onto this machine,
> with userProfile1, and have the database open (which didnt ask me for a
> password) if I select Tools->Security->User and Group Accounts only the
> Access default user (Admin) is shown!
>
> Unfortunately I have to run this database on machine2 with userProfile2
> for resource reasons, any advice would be much appreciated!
>

Try searching for and renaming "system.mdw" in userProfile2.

Regards,
Keith.
www.keithwilby.com

21 Aug 2006 3:24 PM

alan_conoco

Keith,

that seems to have worked a treat.

Thank you very much!

A

Keith Wilby wrote:
Show quoteHide quote

> <alan_con***@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1156167527.328044.270260@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I have created a stupid problem for myself which I cannot fix, I would
> > greatly appreciate your help.
> >
> > I have an Access database which is avaialble over a LAN. I have been
> > experimenting with security settings (by running the 'One step security
> > wizard') and have created some sort of User level security that I
> > cannot now remove.
> >
> > On machine 1 (Win NT, Access 2000) I can open my database with no
> > problems at all using any windows user profile.
> >
> > On machine 2 (Win XP, Access 2003) I can open my database as above when
> > logged onto windows with userProfile1.
> > However when logged onto windows with userProfile2 access prompts me
> > for a username and password when I try to open the database.
> > Depsite my 'One-step Security Wizard Report' showing blank password
> > fields for all the users I set up (inlcuding this Windows profile) it
> > will not allow me in, returning a message box which displays 'Not a
> > valid account name or password' . Furthermore, my backups (up to 1
> > month back, different file names) have inherited this problem.
> > What is most frustrating is that when I am logged onto this machine,
> > with userProfile1, and have the database open (which didnt ask me for a
> > password) if I select Tools->Security->User and Group Accounts only the
> > Access default user (Admin) is shown!
> >
> > Unfortunately I have to run this database on machine2 with userProfile2
> > for resource reasons, any advice would be much appreciated!
> >
>
> Try searching for and renaming "system.mdw" in userProfile2.
>
> Regards,
> Keith.
> www.keithwilby.com

22 Aug 2006 8:22 AM

Keith Wilby

<alan_con***@hotmail.co.uk> wrote in message

news:1156173873.210789.134140@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...
> Keith,
>
> that seems to have worked a treat.
>
> Thank you very much!
>

Do you know why it worked? Access need a security file in order to open.
The default is "system.mdw" somewhere in your profile. If you modify this
file such that it prompts you for a password then you will be prompted for
all Access sessions. The trick is to never modify "system.mdw" when
securing a file but to create your own custom workgroup. Your users would
then join your new workgroup on a session-by-session basis using a shortcut.

If you're planning on getting into security then I would recommend reading
the MS FAQ (link on my web site). It heavy going but essential reading IMO.

Good luck.

Keith.
www.keithwilby.com