Corrupted Access .accdb file: "Unrecognized Database Format"

Asked 14/12, 2012 at 18:10 Answered 17/5, 2019 at 9:23

ms-access ms-access-2010

I'm having a problem. One of my databases on our shared network will not open for any user. It says "Unrecognized Database Format."

I've had this problem before but was still able to open the database, compact and repair, or import all of the database objects into a new database.

The problem here is -- I can't even get it to the point of opening. Is there a solution here without the use of third party software to repair the database?

Crossly answered 14/12, 2012 at 18:10 Comment(10)

Which versions are you using? – Torsk 14/12, 2012 at 18:16

Can you get to the data using VBScript? – Torsk 14/12, 2012 at 18:19

I'm not sure how to do that. Also, any linked tables from this database are also not working. Trying to refresh the links throws the same error. – Crossly 14/12, 2012 at 18:24

Try ADODB in a module in some other Office application, say:

myDB="z:\docs\mydb.accdb":  Set cn=CreateObject("ADODB.Connection"): cn.Open "Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" & myDB

– Torsk 14/12, 2012 at 18:31

Well, I just got a backup copy-- but I'm still interested in how this can be fixed without grabbing a backup in case I need to in the future. I'll try to get it from excel and see what it does. – Crossly 14/12, 2012 at 18:37

Corruption articles: support.microsoft.com/kb/306204; granite.ab.ca/access/corruptmdbs.htm – Torsk 14/12, 2012 at 18:39

@Remou sounds like you had experience in this area. :) – Breland 14/12, 2012 at 18:56

Haha, yes. Thanks for the articles. Is there any specific things that cause corruption? I have most of my databases set to compact and repair on close and auto backup, but I don't really have anything in place to prevent corruption -- mostly just to fix it when it happens. – Crossly 14/12, 2012 at 19:1

" I have most of my databases set to compact and repair on close " DO NOT do this! It is an incredibly bad idea. Always take a copy before you compact and repair. – Torsk 14/12, 2012 at 21:3

More on why not: #3429356, see the late David Fenton's answer. – Torsk 14/12, 2012 at 21:10

Open access, go to the database tools tab, select compact and repair database. You can choose the database from there.

Reconnaissance answered 14/12, 2012 at 18:15 Comment(4)

Make sure you have a copy before you compact and repair. – Torsk 14/12, 2012 at 18:16

And start creating backups, you can use a scheduled task to do a nightly backup and even clean up old archives. – Reconnaissance 14/12, 2012 at 18:17

It doesn't allow me, it just says "unrecognized database format" even when I open access (not the access app in question), and go to tools>compact and repair and choose the corrupted database – Crossly 14/12, 2012 at 18:18

Have you gone from Access 2007 to 2010 or vice versa? – Reconnaissance 14/12, 2012 at 18:23

WE had this problem on one machine and not another...the solution is to look in control panel at the VERSION of the Access Database Engine 2007 component. If it is version 12.0.45, you need to run the service pack 3 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=27835

The above link will install version 12.0.66...and this fixes the problem...thought I would post it since I haven't seen this solution on any other forum.

Cynde answered 30/8, 2013 at 23:23 Comment(3)

The same thing applies to Access 2010. I corrupted a database every few minutes until I loaded the service pack. This page has links for SPs for both 32 and 64 bit. support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2687521 – Ecumenism 26/3, 2016 at 21:3

Thanks man, you are my saving grace! Had this issue with node-adodb but nothing worked for me. The service pack fixed everything now! :) – Found 20/9, 2016 at 11:15

The Microsoft link has been guillotined, "We're sorry, this download is no longer available..." Are there any other locations hosting this file? – Subsumption 28/12, 2019 at 2:12

After much struggle with this same issue I was able to solve the problem by installing the 32 bit version of the 2010 Access Database Engine. For some reason the 64bit version generates this error...

Beaman answered 28/6, 2014 at 19:56 Comment(0)

Try to create a new database and import every table, query etc into this new database. With this import Access recreates all the objects from scratch. If there is some sort of corruption in an object, it should be solved.

If you're Lucky only the corrupted item(s) will be lost, if any.

Elliottellipse answered 9/5, 2013 at 10:48 Comment(0)

Well, I have tried something I hope it helps ..

They changed the schema a little bit ..

Use the following :

1- Change the AccessDataSource to SQLDataSource in the toolbox.

2- In the drop down menu choose your access database (xxxx.accdb or xxxx.mdb)

3- Next -> Next -> Test Query -> Finish.

Worked for me.

Uredium answered 18/3, 2014 at 8:22 Comment(0)

Sometimes it might depend on whether you are using code to access the database or not. If you are using "DriverJet" in your code instead of "DriverACE" (or an older version of the DAO library) such a problem is highly probable to happen. You just need to replace "DriverJet" with "DriverACE" and test.

Afro answered 17/5, 2019 at 9:23 Comment(0)

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