subject: Fixing 'Can't find the database you specified' error while mounting Access 2003 database [print this page] An Access database can become corrupt in many instances, and with corruption it brings along several miseries for a user. Some of the symptoms include eruption of various error messages, data inaccessibility, records getting deleted etc. Though, you can rely on Compact and Repair, the inbuilt repair utility provided by Microsoft, it never delivers expected results. The utility works by deleting unused space which was created by deletion of objects and records, and repairing tables, queries and indexes. However, in order to recover each and every component of a corrupt database in an efficient manner, you have to rely on a third-party Access Database Recovery software.
Consider a scenario, wherein, you have an Access 2003 database. When you make an attempt to open it using a shortcut, you won't be able to mount it. Additionally, you would receive the following error message:
"Can't find the database you specified, or you didn't specify a database at all.
Specify a valid database name in the command line, and include a path if necessary:"
Cause
You can encounter the above error message with an Access database in the following conditions:
If the shortcut you have used to open the Access database file points to an earlier version of MS Access, and you have chosen to upgrade to the earlier version of Microsoft Office applications during the new Office set up.
If you have installed Norton anti-virus software prior installing Microsoft Access 2003
Or if the Access database is corrupt or damaged. Access database corruption can occur due to interrupted write operation, faulty hardware components, saving MDB file in another program, unexpected system shutdown, power surges and others.
Resolution
To resolve the issue related to Access runtime application, you must observe the following steps:
Remove Access
Reinstall the Access runtime application
Check that you can use the shortcut to open the database of the runtime application
Reinstall MS Access
The problem associated with Norton anti-virus software can be eliminated by following these steps:
Remove Access
Remove Norton anti-virus
Reinstall Access
Check that you can use the shortcut to open the Access database
Now, reinstall Norton anti-virus software
If your Access database is corrupt, you might not get rid of the error message even after following the above access database recoverysteps. To get past the above error and corruption issue, it is essential for you to repair the affected Access database by using a third-party access repair application.
For achieving best repairing results, you can trust Stellar Phoenix Database Recovery, an easy-to-use application which repairs and recovers Access databases created with MS Access 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000 versions. The access database recovery software has been designed to recover all components of a corrupt or damaged Access database including macros, modules, tables, forms, reports and queries.
Fixing 'Can't find the database you specified' error while mounting Access 2003 database
