ACC2000: "The Database '<Database Name>' Is Read Only" Message When You Open a Database (304211)

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

SYMPTOMS

If you move a database file from one computer to another, and then try to open the database on the second computer, you receive the following message:

The database '<database name>' is read only.

CAUSE

The Read-only property of the file may be set. This happens automatically if you move the file by using a compact disc-recordable (CD-R) or a compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW).

RESOLUTION

You must reset the attribute of all files (.mdb, .mdw, .adp, and so on) that you move by using a compact disc-recordable (CD-R) or a compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW). To do so, follow these steps:

Double-click My Computer on the desktop.
Browse to the location where you copied the Microsoft Access database.
Right-click the database name, and then click Properties on the shortcut menu.
In the Properties dialog box, under Attributes, clear the Read-only check box.
Click OK to apply the change.
Open your database in Access.

Note that you no longer receive the message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

This behavior may also occur if you use a compact disc-recordable (CD-R) or a compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW) to distribute a file with User-Level Security and transfer a Workgroup Information File (.mdw) to the destination computer. If you encounter this behavior, follow the steps in the "Resolution" section to clear the Read-only property for the accompanying .mdw file.