Need help getting data from a .mdb file

Question

I have 38,000 KB of data stored in a .mdb file that I can no longer access through a program called Collection Master.  Is there any way to open this file using Excel or some other software so that I can try to save the data stored there? I have tried to open using Excel, Access, and even Notepad but it won't open in a readable format.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi Roan T,

Thank you for your email.

To answer your questions:

The data for Collection Master has been stored in a .mdb file for 10 or more years.  It did work just fine, until Office 15 was installed.  Once I discovered that all the data was missing from the Collection Master program, I uninstalled Office 15.  That did nothing.  I ran virus protection, adware, etc.  I emailed the Collection Master people. All they said that it might be an encryption or permissions problem.

So I had my computer guru guy come over, and we worked for a couple of hours trying to figure it out.  We found the .mdb file where the data is, but it won't open - we tried Excel, Word, even Notepad.  Nothing.   I even uninstalled the Collection Master program, and purchased a new one and installed that.  Now I can't even add data into the new program because it won't save it.  It's there when I close it, but when I open it back up, it's gone.  The Collection Master people are just ignoring me at this point.

So now I just would like to get this .mdb file open somehow, to retrieve the data, and I'll put it in new collections management software.

Any thoughts on how to get this file open are welcome.  It shows up as   ctdata.mdb

Thanks for your assistance.

Bonnie S.

Answer 2

Hi Bonnie,

It possible that there's an update made on Collection Master program. Still, we would like to know more about the issue. Please clarify the following:    

• Does opening a .mdb file in Office ever worked? If so, what may have changed?
• Did you make any changes on your computer or file before the issue started?
• Can you send us a screenshot of the issue? Please edit the image if any personal information may be exposed.

Regards.