Where have all my forms and reports gone? Multiples have disappeared

[WantsToLearn]

Client has Access2000 database (.mdb) with SQL Server backend. The database has 40+ reports and 30+ forms and subforms. I have been developing them on my laptop which is Access2002 and copying them over. The client does NOT want to do individual object exports.

Somewhere along the line several of the forms and reports have vanished. They all appear to have been hidden - the original developer is gone and left little documentation. I know there used to be an issue with Access97 and compacting a database with hidden objects but is that still an issue with Access2000? Or is it possibly an Access2002 to Access2000 issue? For what its worth, reports seem to be much more affected than forms although multiples of each have disappeared.

I can get them back from the original version, but it bugs me that I can't explain what happened. The number of missing forms and reports is high enough that I can safely rule out accidental deletion or something along that line.

Thanks in advance for any ideas, suggestions, etc!

 

[THWatson]

WantsToLearn
I have no idea whether or not this is an explanation of your problem, but Microsoft Knowledge Base article 248965 talks about objects disappearing after being modified, if service packs have not been installed. This relates to Access 2000, but maybe if all the stuff isn't up to date on the client's server...?

Just passing it on.

I'm assuming that even though you are doing your work on your laptop in Access 2002 you are saving in Access 2000 format. I had a couple of wierd things happen when using Access 2003 on my laptop and Access 2000 on my desktop, even though stuff was being saved in Access 2000 format.

Tom

 

[willir]

WantsToLearn

I guess the first thing is backup, backup, backup. In addition, any time an employee leaves, friendly or termination, it is important to protect the systems - lock accounts, etc. This protect the ex-employee showing that appropriate measures were taken as well.

Next, your development situation sounds fuzzy. I surmise you work on the front end. But do you have to relink to the back end everytime you transfer your work? Or do you import the object?

Is this when you loose the objects?

Is it possible the original devleoper had an import routine that deleted objects and then imported the new object?

Or do the objects disappear elsewhen when the end user is using the applicaiton?

Do the same objects disappear, or is it random?

Need more "meat".

There is one gotcha I am aware of with Access 2000 is that stored queries can be created and modified with ActiveX using the data definition language, the objects are not visible via the user interface including the main Access window. Weird. Access 2002 addresses this point.

 

[WantsToLearn]

THWatson,

Thanks, but the link applies only to Access Data Projects (.adp files) and my client has an .mdb file. Here is the link for the benefit of others:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;248965.

Also, here is a link to the fix list that I found while checking out the other one:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;245021

Willr,

Sorry that I can't be more specific. I recently inherited the system from another consultant who left on good terms. I have seen nothing that would indicate any kind of sabotage as the reason. As to when it happened, I don't know because the client is over an hour away. A couple weeks ago I left them a new version to test. I can't tell right now whether or not it is random but I do know it is nothing that I touched. We were able to get everything back but it didn't do anything for the client's faith in me.

My best guess is that it may have had something to do with Access2002 vs Access2000. I am importing objects now but was not originally at the client's request.

Thanks to both of you for your time in replying!