ACC2000: Uninstalling Removes System.mdw and Sample Databases

ID: Q224533

The information in this article applies to:
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and a Microsoft Access project (.adp).


SYMPTOMS

When you uninstall Microsoft Access or Microsoft Office, the System.mdw file and the sample databases are removed, even if you have made changes to these files.


RESOLUTION

Before you remove Access or Office, make a backup of the System.mdw and any sample databases that you modified.

You must use the same Name, Organization, and Workgroup ID if you have already removed Access or Office and need to recreate the System.mdw.


MORE INFORMATION

Access uses the System.mdw to store security information about Microsoft Access databases. Microsoft Access projects do not store security information in the System.mdw file.

The following sample databases are removed. The default location for these databases is in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Samples folder:

Addrbook.mdb
Contact.mdb
Inventry.mdb
Northwind.mdb
NorthwindCS.adp

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. After installing Access, verify that there is only one System.mdw on the computer. By default, it is located in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder.


  2. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.


  3. Make a copy of the Employees table.


  4. On the Tools menu, point to Security, and then click User and Group Accounts. Create a new user and give a password to the Admin account.


  5. Close Microsoft Access.


  6. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.


  7. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.


  8. In the Add/Remove Program Properties dialog box, click the Install/Uninstall tab, and select Microsoft Office 2000 from the program list. Click Add/Remove.


  9. Click Add or Remove Features.


  10. Click the plus signs (+) until you see a tree structure such as the following:


    11. 
   Microsoft Office
      Microsoft Access for Windows
  11. For Microsoft Access for Windows, click Not Available, and then click Update Now.

    Note that the System.mdw and Northwind.mdb are no longer on the computer.



REFERENCES

For more information about the System.mdw file, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type "work with a workgroup information file" in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

Additional query words: pra setup modified remove all OFF2000 


Keywords          : AccCon 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999