ACC2: Error Message "Couldn't Open SYSTEM.MDA" (123589)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2.0
This article was previously published under Q123589
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Access, you may receive either of the following error messages:
  • Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA

    -or-
  • <Database> is corrupted or is not a database file. Attempt to repair?

CAUSE

The Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.0 may erroneously leave an internal database flag set that in some cases results in one of the error messages stated above.

RESOLUTION

To reset the internal database flag, have all users log out of the database and then run the repair utility. (To run the repair utility, choose Repair from the File menu.) If you receive the "Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA" error message, all users should quit Microsoft Access. When the first user logs back in, the SYSTEM.MDA file is repaired automatically. No data will be lost as a result of the internal database flag being set erroneously.

STATUS

This problem no longer occurs with the Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.5, which is available with the Microsoft Access version 2.0 Service Pack. For information about how to obtain the Service Pack, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

122927 WX1124: Microsoft Access Version 2.0 Service Pack
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/5/2002
Keywords:kbbug kbusage KB123589
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.