Unrecognized database format error???

Question

I just downloaded Microsoft Access 2010. I am trying to open a database file that is a .mdb file and was sent to me on a CD-R.

There are 2 files on this disc and I have no issues opening one file, but keep getting the "Unrecognized database format" error even though it is an .mdb file.

What I am I missing here??? Thanks

Answer 1

Restore a database

To restore a database, you must already have a backup copy of your database.

A backup is commonly referred to as a "known good copy" of a database file — a copy in which you are confident of its data integrity and design. You should use the Back Up Database command in Microsoft Office Access to make backups, but you can use any known good copy to restore a database. For example, you can restore a database from a copy that is stored on a USB external backup device.

You can restore an entire database, or you can selectively restore objects in a database.

If you do not have a backup copy, you risk data loss and unwanted changes to or corruption of your database design. For this reason, you should make backups on a regular basis.

Answer 2

Nothing is missing from your side. One of the .mdb file (which is not opening) may have some problem or it might be corrupted. You must try "Compact and Repair" to fix the problem from that file. If still the error "Unrecognized database format" takes place, then you can use a third-party MS Access recovery software. I would like to recommend you to use demo version first of this software. This will repair your corrupted .mdb file. Try it.

Good luck.

Answer 3

The file was created in Access 2007. Corruption is what things are pointing in, but I have never used Access and taking over an organization that was using it so i am a little green...

Thanks all for the help!

Answer 4

I have copied it to my desktop, but still getting same error when trying to open it from there. Thanks

Then do you know, with certainty, which version the mdb file is?  There are several possible versions that an mdb file could be in, and it doesn't necessarily have to do with which version it was created in as Access has typically been able to create file formats in previous versions for some.

So, it sounds like it might be corrupt/didn't write to the CD properly.

Answer 5

I have copied it to my desktop, but still getting same error when trying to open it from there. Thanks