can't open 2003 .mdb from 2010

[Van]

Hi,

I've been given a legacy database in .mdb format (2003) that needs converting to 2010 Access. I keep getting the following message whenever i try to open the .mdb, OR when i create a black database and try to import the .mdb, OR when i create a blank database as either 2000 or 2003:

"Cannot open database created with a previous version of your application"

I'm running out of ideas. need help. ugh.

Thanks,
Van

ps. i don't have a previous Access version, only 2010.

[burrina]

Take a look at this article. Hope it helps.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2755119


Oops, must be Dyslexic . Misread 2013 for 2003, Sorry!

[HansV]

The article mentioned by burrina is for Access 2013. Access 2010 should be able to open .mdb files, whether they were created in Access 97, 2000, 2002 or 2003, but probably not if it has been created in Access 95 or Access 2.0.

If it is an Access 95 or Access 2.0 .mdb, the only way to convert it is to find someone who has an older version of Access.

If it is an Access 97, 2000, or 2002/2003 .mdb, there are some suggestions for solving this problem in http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310937" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
Important: if you have 64-bit Windows, use the following paths instead of those mentioned in the KnowledgeBase article:

regsvr32 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DAO\DAO360.DLL"

regsvr32 "c:\WINDOWS\SYSWOW64\msrd3x40.dll"

[Van]

thank you both.

Regards,
Van

[HansV]

Were you able to solve the problem? If so, how?

[Van]

Sorry, It has been the weekend here.

I have not been able to open. I will need to do some investigative work to trace back and find out exactly what version of Access this .mdb was created with. I was told 2003, but perhaps it's earlier...is there a way to tell?

I will re-post when (if?) I can find out.

Regards,
Van

[HansV]

The fact that you're not able to open the .mdb in Access 2010 suggests that the database was created in an older version than Access 97. But I don't know of a way to explicitly determine the version it was created.

[Van]

HI Hans,

Seems the dB was created with Access 95 afterall.

I managed to download a free program called "MDB Viewer Plus, ver 2.5" which allowed me to view the tables and data. I then exported each table into excel for the researcher to view. Not ideal, but better than nothing at this stage (no older version of Access available).

Thanks again,
Van

[HansV]

Thanks for the feedback!

[Harper]

The article is not very clear, however I think that this problem is compatibility office.

[burrina]

For a true solution to your problem, either find a copy of Access 97 or someone who does and convert it and then convert it again!