Hi realley need help I was putting database back on my p.c from a floppy disc and instead of using microsoft access I used wordpad now when i open it it comes up with lots of squares and symbols please can anyone help me

Metamorphousthe

Okay, I have to recreate this in my mind. You have a file on floppy x.mdb (where x is the name of the file) or something like that with an extension of .db or .mdb (for database or microsoft database). you put the fie on your computer and opened it with wordpad instead of opening it with access (or at least going into access first and opening the file from there). When you open the file with wordpad, you see a lot of jibberish? Most likely this is the programming language for the MDB which is normal to see. As long as the extension stays the same, when you go into access and open the file from there, everything should be normal. if not, then delete the file and go back to the floppy and put it back on the pc again. Did I understand you correctly?

lilias

Hi
I think thats what i meant, but when I put floppy disc in it only opens the old database he dosent use (the one I didnt open with wordpad) when I try to open the other one It comes up Microsoft Access cant find the database file A:\db1.mdb: so I am very stuck hope you can help me thanks very much

Metamorphousthe

okay, you have 2 mdb's on the floppy, an old one and the one you want. the old one was not opened with wordpad and reads in access fine, the one you want you opened with wordpad and access cant find it.

even if you open an .mdb with wordpad it should not affect the file, unless you altered it and/or saved it as a .txt (which reformats the file). and if you did this from the original file on the floppy and do not have access to the very-original file to which you got the one on the floppy from, you have reached the end.

if you have not altered it and/or save it as a .txt (btw, just opening the file does not alter it, it's only when you input, delete, etc from the text body or save as a .txt do you alter the file), you should be able to open access, go to the file tab, then choose open and at the bottom is a list of extensions just below where you would input the file name. clicking the arrow brings up a pop-up menu to which you can choose "all files", then browse to your floppy drive for the file you are looking for.

If you do not see the extensions for the files, unhide them from your folder options.

BTW, the information above about what alters a .mdb is based on a test I just did with an .mdb of mine using access.

And, yes, if you open .mdb, you do see squares, but if i close it without saving it as a .txt, it remains a .mdb. even if you save it as a .txt, simply changing the extension to .mdb or opening it with wordpad and attempting to save it as something other than a .txt or .rtf style file will not bring back the dbase format.