I have a conversation going on with a prior student via email. I am having trouble grasping what might be happening on his end. Do you think you could help me/him out?
His question:
I have a database that has student’s information in it. I am trying to link a table in that database to mine. However the file they use is a .mdw. From my understanding a mdw isn’t a standalone database however if I double click it opens up access with just like a .mdb file would. It isn’t a shortcut it’s the .mdw, if I rename it to .mdb it still functions the same. I was wondering if you had any insight into what it is.
My Response:
MDW files have to be linked to an Access database in order to be effective. MDW is a file extension for a work group file format. It is there because it is used to store information such as usernames and passwords of users authorized to access a secured database. The .mdw file you are trying to open is called a Microsoft Jet database known as the workgroup information file, which is also referred to as the system database.
The following links may help explain it:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en‑us/library/aa141495(office.10).aspx
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/linking‑mdb‑database‑table‑via‑accdb‑database‑t3935382.html
His Return Response:
That clarified some aspects however I ran into the same problem I did while researching by myself. There is no mdb file just a mdw that opens a database. Are they integrated in my case or is something else going on here?
When I directly open the mdw I do not get any user/pass prompts just opens access. I get a startup form, also I don’t know if it helps but when you open the mdw directly, a ldb file is temporarily created in the same location.
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The only thing I could respond with unless I learn more is: the .mdw is supposed to exist in order to secure login to a database that must exist somewhere…I appreciate any feedback on this.
