Microsoft Office Access can't change working directory

[Diana van den Berg]

I am tearing my hair out

To make things simpler and to shorten their paths, I moved 3 separate and completely unrelated databases out of the folder they were in to another one. Only 1 of the 3 was split as yet. I get an error message before they open perfectly normally. I would like to do something so that error message doesn't come up and the computer isn't confused.

The message I get is:

Microsoft Office Access can't change the working directory to C:\Documents and Settings\Diana\My Documents\0 TCS

None of them ever WERE in that folder. Their paths were as follows:

1. C:\Documents and Settings\Diana\My Documents\0 TCS\Databases - New\Powerpunch_Properties\PowerpunchProperties.accdb (and _be.accdb)
2. C:\Documents and Settings\Diana\My Documents\0 TCS\Databases - New\Pacer Computers Operations\PacerComputersOperations.accdb
3. C:\Documents and Settings\Diana\My Documents\0 TCS\Databases - New\WLS\WLSMarketing.accdb

I have Compacted and Repaired and I have rebooted, but the same error message comes up and then each of them opens perfectly.

They are now all in:

C:\Documents and Settings\Diana\My Documents\TCS

I am opening them directly from the folder they are in and not from a shortcut on the Desktop.

Thank you for any help.

[Rudi]

Try refreshing the default folder location. Use Browse to reset the path...

Start Microsoft Access and open any database.
On the File Tab, click Options.
In the Options dialog box, click the General tab. Note the path in the Default Database Folder box.
The default folder is usually set to C:\My Documents (or username\documents)

[HansV]

Do you get the same message if you open another database than those three, or only when you open one of the three?

[Diana van den Berg]

Thank you for your input, Rudi. However, I don't know what you meant because I couldn't find any of those options.

In the meantime, I ran a Microsoft Security Essentials quick scan, but no errors were found.

Then I ran AVG Anti-Virus Fix Performance but there was no change, despite the fact that it found and fixed 435 Registry errors; 3185 junk files on temporary Internet folders; discovered that it was 14% fragmented and ran a 100% defragmentation; and found and fixed 95 broken shortcuts.

Thank you for your input, Hans.

Yes, it is doing that - even sometimes on files that aren't databases.

[Diana van den Berg]

Rudi, I found the default folder location on the Microsoft Access button. I changed it and so far I have only opened 1 of the databases and it worked, HOORAY! I will check the rest now and if there is a problem I will come back. Thank you!! I don't know if you drink beer or eat chocolate, but here are both!

Whew! what a relief!

Thank you, Rudi and Hans both for your input! For you too, Hans!

[HansV]

Yes, that should be the solution!

Added: thanks

[Diana van den Berg]

Yep! All perfect! Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeg smiles!

Thank you both!

Giggles, Hans! Glad you are enjoying the beer and the chocolate (or the chocolate beer that you told me about!).

[Rudi]

I think I'd enjoy a beer (shaped) chocolate more than chocolate (flavoured) beer.
TX

[Diana van den Berg]

Giggles, Rudi! Me too! I just can't wrap my mind or my tastebuds round chocolate-flavoured beer!

[tommu319]

I realize this is a VERY old thread... but like the others, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I too was very frustrated by this "error" but Rudi has led me to a very simple and easy fix. Much appreciated!!

Thank you one more time...

Tom