A corrupted MS Access database always results in an error message or a warning message. In most cases, the error messages differ as per the program version. However, there are few error messages that remain same in all the Access versions. Error messages, of any kind primarily result in inaccessibility of data stored in Access database. In such situations, the most effective way to recover your data is by restoring it from an updated backup. However, if no backup is available or backup falls short of restoring the lost or inaccessible data, then you need to opt for advanced Access Repair applications.
Below is the error message that gets encountered for all Access versions (2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000) after database corruption:
“The database '*.mdb' needs to be repaired or isn't a database file.
You or another user may have unexpectedly quit Microsoft Office Access while a Microsoft Office Access database was open. Do you want Microsoft Office Access to attempt to repair the database?”
As the above error message states, the database is corrupted due to unexpected shutdown of Microsoft Office Access database. Furthermore, you will encounter the same error message each time you attempt to mount your database.
Resolution:
To resolve the above error in all Access versions, you need to use an inbuilt utility known as “Compact and Repair.” To use this utility in Microsoft Office 2007, you will need to follow these steps:
Click on Microsoft Office button.
From the Office menu, click “Tools”, select “Database Utilities”, then “Compact and Repair Database.”
MS Access will present the "Database to Compact From" dialog box. Navigate to the database you wish to Compact and Repair and then click on the Compact button.
Provide a new name for the compacted database and then click on the Save button.
However, if the above utility is unable to repair the Access database, then you will need to use advanced access recovery applications to recover it.
These Access Repair tools incorporate advanced scanning algorithms to provide complete repair and restoration of all Access database components. Such recovery applications enable you to comprehensively recover and restore both (.accdb and .mdb) Access database files. With self-explanatory user interface and to-the-point documentation, these recovery tools serve as easy-to-understand applications.
Access Recovery is the most powerful access repair tool. It recovers all database objects like queries, forms, reports, macros and modules. The Access Database Repair software is compatible with Microsoft Access 2007, 2003, XP (2002) and 2000. It is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2003, 2000 and NT.
