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ms-accesshidden

SELECT query is pulling data, source table appears in MSysObjects, Hidden/System are both enabled, but table isn't listed in object browser

I am completely perplexed.

A colleague's got a database issue. I noticed that the (internal) software that created the local database file with the problem, uses programmatic access to MS JET, which meant an easy first step was to see if MS Access (2010) was happy with the database - and then fix, export/import or repair, as a first step.

I copied the stand-alone local Jet data file to a non-networked virtual machine (so no chance of external data), and MS Access opened the db file easily, but I can't make sense of what I'm seeing.

MS Access is configured on that system to show all hidden and system objects, confirmed since the Access system tables in the file are all visible and can be opened. These are my observations:

  1. The object browser lists the usual MS system tables, and a bunch of SELECT queries (which look correct) of the form SELECT (FIELD LIST) FROM (OTHERTABLENAME) WHERE (FIELDNAME=VALUE), nothing more.
  2. The select queries show the usual grid with valid data records when opened, and the data looks correct as well.
  3. No data tables with the given names are showing in the object browser interface.
  4. The given names are listed as objects of the database, in the system table MSysObjects.

So..... the underlying data tables ARE named in MSysObjects, and seem to be true data tables... but they are NOT being listed in the object browser and I can't figure how to open their datasheets (although MS Access' system tables are, and "Show hidden/system" are both enabled)... and the tables surely do exist in the file since an apparent SELECT query is pulling their data from them, and the file is on a clean non-networked machine with no other sources reachable.

Any ideas? I want to check the underlying data but ... whats going on?

Solution

  • When I examined your database, I discovered the reason you can't access the tables normally is because the authors of the internal application which created the db file implemented measures to prevent normal access.

    I advise you to contact them and your managers to get authorization and assistance to view the data.

    Also, please be cautious with this question. A suspicious person might uncharitably interpret your question as a disguised request for hacking help. Please note I am not accusing you of anything underhanded ... simply asking you to notice how your question might be perceived. And, if that were to happen, I don't know what the consequences would be on Stack Overflow, but I can't imagine it would be good. So please be careful.