ACC: "Not a Valid Password" Error When Database Password Contains "\" (162979)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access for Windows 95 7.0
  • Microsoft Access 97
This article was previously published under Q162979
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a database for which you have set a database password, and you are sure that you have typed the correct password in the Password Required dialog box, you may still receive the following error message
Not a valid password
and you cannot open the database.

CAUSE

Your database password contains a backslash character (\).

RESOLUTION

To open your database, type two backslash characters (\\) instead of one in the Password Required dialog box. For example, if your database password is pass\word, type pass\\word.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97. This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

If you want to remove the database password that contains a backslash and add a new database password, follow these steps:
  1. Start Microsoft Access and double-click More Files in the starting dialog box.
  2. In the Open dialog box, select your database, click the Exclusive check box, and then click Open.
  3. On the Tools menu, point to Security, and then click Unset Database Password.
  4. In the Unset Database Password dialog box, type the password that you want to unset, and then click OK. Your old password is removed.
  5. On the Tools menu, point to Security, and then click Set Database Password.
  6. In the Set Database Password dialog box, type your new password in the Password and Verify boxes, and then click OK.

Steps to Reproduce Problem


  1. Create a new database.
  2. On the Tools menu, point to Security, and then click Set Database Password.
  3. In the Set Database Password dialog box, type pass\word in the Password and Verify boxes, and then click OK.
  4. Close the database and try to reopen it.
  5. Type pass\word in the Password Required dialog box. Note that you receive the "Not a valid password" error message.
  6. Type pass\\word in the Password Required dialog box. Note that your database opens.

REFERENCES

For more information about database passwords, search on "passwords," and then "Create or change passwords," using the Microsoft Access Help Index, or ask the Microsoft Access Office Assistant.

For information about using a database password containing a space, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

152760 ACC95: DB Password with Space Becomes Invalid After Compact
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/26/2005
Keywords:kbbug kberrmsg kbusage KB162979
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