I am using MS Access 2010 and one of my databases on our shared network does not open for any user. Shows "Unrecognized Database Format." error message.

I can't even get it to the point of opening. Is there a solution for this?

Is there any commercial tool to recover data from a corrupted database?

To repair a corrupt .mdb database of MS Access, one can try Compact and Repair feature of MS Access. It repairs corrupt database and makes it accessible for database users. Other than this one can also use import feature of MS Access that helps database users import their corrupt database to a new database file.

If both these solutions fail to fix this corruption,

Then one must check some third-party access database repair or recovery software. I would like to suggest MDB Repair Kit software here to repair corrupt .mdb and .accdb files. One can check its free demo version before buying its full version. Download the software from this page: http://www.mdb.repair/

Hope this would be helpful.

• Marked as answer by PeterGreene Thursday, July 24, 2014 9:36 PM

First of all, you can try the build-in "Compact and Repair" command in Access to repair your corrupt database, you can get more detailed info at:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/compact-and-repair-a-database-HA010341740.aspx
http://databases.about.com/od/tutorials/fl/How-To-Compact-and-Repair-an-Access-2013-Database.htm

If the above method does not work, then you can try third-party Access data recovery tools, such as DataNumen Access Repair at:

http://www.datanumen.com/access-repair/

I have used the tool in the past and it helps recovering some valuable data for me. The tool has a free demo so that you can try before you buy.

If you prefer to use a service instead of a product, then you can use Everything access data recovery service at:

http://www.everythingaccess.com/

I know Wayne in person and he will only charge you if you are satisfied with the recovery result.

Good luck!

• Edited by hzsl Wednesday, July 23, 2014 3:31 PM

Try to open inaccessible MDB database file into a new database file or try another solution, i.e. implementing "Compact and Repair" function.

If you are able to recover data then its good otherwise you need to use Access Recovery software. Many are available in the market but I would suggest you to try SysInfoTools MS Access Database Recovery software. Trial version is available for testing purpose.

To restore a database, you must already have a backup copy of your database.

A backup is commonly referred to as a "known good copy" of a database file a copy in which you are confident of its data integrity and design. You should use the Back Up Database command in Microsoft Office Access to make backups, but you can use any known good copy to restore a database. For example, you can restore a database from a copy that is stored on a USB external backup device.

You can restore an entire database, or you can selectively restore objects in a database.

If you do not have a backup copy, you risk data loss and unwanted changes to or corruption of your database design. For this reason, you should make backups on a regular basis. 

Compact and Repair utility in MS Access scans and repair corrupt MDB file. Data from corrupt file can be recovered by executing this function. 

You may also try to import corrupt database file into new database file. How to import file is explained in - 

http://nalavadebela.wordpress.com/2014/07/15/access-database-repair

It also contains screenshots to make your work more easy.

If you are getting the error message "Unrecognized Database Format", this means the database file you are trying to open is corrupted. You can try to compact and repair the database. It's a built-in function in MS Access that can fix minor corruption in access database. Or you can also try to import the data from corrupted database to a new database. 

To know how to do these tricks, you can read this blog post: How to Repair Corrupt Access Database? 

Thanks. 

Tips to repair corrupt access database file manually. Read carefully & do it yourself.

http://sammytechworld.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/helpful-tips-to-repair-corrupt-mdb-databases/

Thanks

You can use third party access recovery software. These software are fast, safe and easy recovery solution to help you recover and repair corrupt access file. This access recovery software provides easy and quick data recovery solutions to recover your lost data. To get more information visit :

http://www.filesrepairtool.com/access-file-repair.html

Looks that you have faced problem with your MS Access File do you know the reason behind this it might be that your MS Access database is damaged or corrupted.

but fortunately yes there is a tool that can help with your issues i.e. MS Access Repair tool..

follow the link to get this tool 

http://msaccess.filerepairtool.net/