SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you choose the Open Database command from the File menu to open a database, the default directory for opening databases is some directory other than your working directory.

CAUSE

The Default Database Directory option setting has been changed from its default setting.

RESOLUTION

Change the Default Database Directory option setting back to its default setting. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Start Microsoft Access and open any database.
2. From the View menu, choose Options.
3. In the Category box, select General.
4. In the Items box, set the Default Database Directory setting to a period (.).
5. Choose the OK button.
6. Quit and then restart Microsoft Access.

If Microsoft Access does not recognize the default or working directory specified by an icon that you use to start Microsoft Access, follow the steps in the "Resolution" section above to reset the Default Database Directory option setting. To see the working directory specified by an icon that you use to start Microsoft Access, select the icon in Program Manager and then choose Properties from the File menu.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open the any database.
2. From the View menu, choose Options.
3. In the Category box, select General.
4. In the Items box, set the Default Database Directory setting to "C:\WINDOWS" (without the quotation marks).
5. Choose OK.
6. Quit and then restart Microsoft Access.
7. From the File menu, choose Open Database. Note that the default directory is now your Windows directory instead of the Microsoft Access directory.

For more inforamtion about the Default Database Directory option setting, search for "Options command - general," and then "Options Command (View Menu) - General Options" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.