How to open and associate a second copy of a database in Microsoft
Access 97?  When I use file association, access says it can't find the
file, although it will open from the "recently opened" list under
"file," BUT WILL NOT FORM AN ASSOCIATION.  I also gave the two files
different names.

Hi there,

Before providing a solution, I just wanted to note that it was a
little difficult to understand and if I misinterpreted it feel free to
ask for a clarification. I see you are looking for an answer quickly
so I though it would be better if I corresponded quickly.

From my understanding, you have one database saved in the Access 97
format and you are trying to open a copy of it. By "association" I
take that as meaning being able to open the file from windows explorer
by simply double-clicking.

Here is what you need to do:

1. Starting with your original file, make a copy of this file in
windows explorer and rename it so that you can distinguish between the
two files.

2. Since all Microsoft Access databases have a *.mdb extension, you
need to set that in windows explorer.

3. In the windows explorer, go to Tools > Folder Options > File Types
tab.

4. Locate the "MDB" extension and make sure that Microsoft Access is
the program set to open that type of file.

5. If not, select it and click "Edit" and then browse for the Access
executable.

That should do the trick...but let me know if you need any further
assistance :)

Thanks!

answerguru

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Request for Answer Clarification by taliesa-ga on 01 May 2002 13:23 PDT

Okay, i don't think your answer will help me, but I have not been
really clear, either.  I had a copy of a databse, which I accidentally
screwed up by deleting some entries.  so i went back to the email file
that was sent me and imported another copy onto myE-drive.  The first
one opened (as you say, with double-click capability (and other useful
recognition properties).  The new, undamaged copy won't accept the
file association, even though i gave it a different name from the
first one.  It is this second copy i need to associate.  I went to
Explorer and made a copy, but there was already a copy there.  I
checked the file extensions, and Access had the MDB okay, but it keeps
saying it can't find my new file.  It still has the wavy window logo,
and won't save as an mdb.

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Clarification of Answer by answerguru-ga on 01 May 2002 13:52 PDT

OK,

From what you are describing, the attachment that you are taking from
the email is not being saved properly. You need to do the following:
1. Make sure that the file in the email is actually a valid *.mdb file
2. Make sure that when you save this file you SAVE AS an .mdb file

The one thing to remember is that ALL files of .mdb type are either
associated or not...its not possible to set up associations with
individual files of the same type. If you are doing the above steps
properly then you shouldn't have a problem.

Hope this helps,

answerguru

Having finally resolved my problem through a tip from a book in the
library, I can now see that it was basically correct, but i couldn't
understand it.  Where the guru says "Since all Microsoft Access
databases have a *.mdb extension, you
need to set that in windows explorer", I did not understand that to
mean that i had to add the extension to the name.

While i was able to find the .mbd in "file types,"  I had no clue how
to "browse for the access executable," or what to do if I found it.