"Can't open registry database" error message occurs when you run the Workgroup Administrator utility (815285)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2000
This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).

SYMPTOMS

When you open an Access database, you may receive the following error message:

Microsoft Access couldn't find file ' system.mdw '. This file is required for startup

Note The name of the file System.mdw may be different.

When you run the Workgroup Administrator utility (Wrkgadm.exe) to create a specific .mdw file, you may receive the following error message:

Can't open registry database

CAUSE

The behavior occurs because of a missing, a damaged, or an incorrect version of the system files for Access 2000 or for Microsoft Office 2000.

RESOLUTION

To resolve the problem, remove Access 2000 or Office 2000 and then reinstall them. To do this, follow these steps:

Note Before you remove Access 2000 or Office 2000, make sure that all Office applications (such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word) are closed. Make sure that you have your setup disk available.
  1. Remove Access 2000 or Office 2000. For additional information about how to remove Access 2000 or Office 2000, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    203370 How to completely remove Access 2000 from your computer

  2. Try to find the following files and folders when you remove Office 2000. You must rename or delete these files and folders:
    • Msaccess.exe file
    • Microsoft Office folder

      Note Before you delete the old Office folder, make sure that none of your data files are stored in subfolders of the Office folder.
    Verify that these files do not have duplicates on your computer. You must delete or rename these files.
  3. If your computer operating system is Windows 98, before you reinstall Office 2000, follow these steps:
    1. Click start and then click Run.
    2. In the Open box, type msconfig to run the System Configuration utility.
    3. On the General tab in the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click Selective Startup.
    4. Click to clear the following check boxes under Selective Startup:
      • Process the Config.sys file
      • Process the Autoexec.bat file
      • Process the System.ini file
      • Load startup group items

      Note If you have real mode drivers for the CD drive, then install Access 2000 or Office 2000 from a flat file. Read the section "Setup from Flat File in the following article. For additional information about how to install Access 2000 or Office 2000, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

      238012 Office 2000 stops responding during setup on Windows 98

    5. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the Win.ini tab.
    6. Click to clear the Windows check box.

      You do this to make sure that the folder is not loaded and run during the startup.
    7. Click OK.
    8. Restart the computer.
  4. Run the Setup.exe file on the root of the Office CD to install Access 2000 or Office 2000. Restart the computer after you successfully complete the installation process.
Note If you performed step 3, run the System Configuration utility. Select the options that you cleared in step 3d and step 3f.

MORE INFORMATION

The workgroup information file stores information about users and groups for Access security. Access requires the workgroup information file to create a new database or to open an existing database. When the workgroup information file is not installed correctly during installation of Office, you may receive the following error message:

Can't open registry database
when wrkgadm.exe is run.

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

266769 Error starting Microsoft Access with custom profile

244421 Supported installation methods for deploying Microsoft Office

305541 Description of the role of workgroup information files in Access 2000 security

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:2/16/2005
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB815285 kbAudDeveloper
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