subject: Error message "Couldn't Open System.mda" in MS Access [print this page] Error message "Couldn't Open System.mda" in MS Access
MS Access comes integrated with the Microsoft Office Suite of applications. It is a combination of relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine, intuitive user interface and an array of software development tools. MS Access is widely used by a large number of users for creating simple database solutions. It also comprises a query interface, forms for depicting and entering data, and reports for printing purposes. The entire database tables, queries, forms, reports etc are stored in the Jet database as a single file termed as system.mda file which is also called the system database.
Corruption in system.mda file might be a result of a number of unforeseen reasons. Some of the most common reasons behind the occurrence of this error message are mentioned below:
Software malfunctioning
An incompatible database element
Attack of malicious virus might be affecting system files
Importing invalid database component
File system damage resulting to corruption
Abrupt system shutdown resulting in damage
Corruption in the operating system resulting in occurrence of this issue
When you try to start MS Access database after system.mda file corrupts, you might come across the following error message:
"Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA"
Inability to access data- After the occurrence of the aforementioned error message on your computer screen after system.mda file corrupts; your data stored in Access database becomes inaccessible. The occurrence of this error message might put the safety of your data at stake and might stop many important operations dependent on your MS Access data. Probably the main reason behind the emergence of the error message is the corruption affecting the internal database flag set.
Possible Solution:
In order to resolve this situation and get back your vital Access database contents, you are recommended to follow the steps given below and repair Microsoft Access:
Use Compact and Repair Utility- In order to fix the error "couldn't open system.mda" and repair Microsoft Access to make the database usable again, you can reset the internal database flag by executing the Compact and Repair utility. (Notes: Before you perform this operation, all the users on the network, who are accessing the database, must log out). In Access database corruption situations, this inbuilt Compact and Repair utility regains the wasted space and enables you to repair the corrupted database.
Backup- You can recover and restore data if you have a recent backup copy of the database. However, if the updated copy of the database backup is available or is inaccessible, then you need to use the other recovery option i.e. third party repair Microsoft Access tool.
Third party repair Microsoft Access Tool- If the Compact and Repair utility fails to Repair Microsoft Access database or to reset the internal database flag and you don't even have an updated backup, then this option of using repair Microsoft Access software would be the best option for you. You can use Kernel for Access repair tool which is a read-only tool and can be easily used to fix errors.
