Northwind sample database opens with a "Run-time error '3709'" error message in Access 2002 (276389)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2002
This article was previously published under Q276389
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).

SYMPTOMS

When you open the sample database Northwind.mdb, you receive the following error message:
Run-time error '3709':

The Connection cannot be used to perform the operation. It is either closed or invalid in the context.

CAUSE

The Error Trapping option in the Visual Basic Environment (VBE) is set to Break on All Errors.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Press CTRL+G or click Debug in the error message to switch to the Visual Basic Environment.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  3. On the General tab, under Error Trapping, click Break on Unhandled Errors.
  4. Close and then reopen Northwind.mdb.

MORE INFORMATION

When Northwind.mdb opens, Visual Basic for Applications code is run that checks to see if the locations of the data access pages are still valid. If not, the code tries to correct those locations. However, this code cannot run correctly if Break on All Errors is enabled.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/10/2004
Keywords:kbopenfile kbsampledatabase kbtshoot kberrmsg kbprb KB276389
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