Deleting linked tables

[hertfordkc]

I'm updating a legacy Access application to Access 2007 with a number of new features. Most of the new functionality is added and has been tested. I wanted to bring in the latest data from the earlier version to begin parallel testing. The testing had been underway with a split front end and back end.
The backup (unified) database was loaded and some bugs were removed, then the old database tables were imported. I had not yet deleted the table names in the development version, so the imported tables names arrived with a "1" appended.
Then I discovered that I couldn't delete the older tables, rename the newer tables, and re-establish the relationships, all of which I believe I was able to do in an earlier iteration.
I've exported the new version of the tables and deleted them from the tables. However, when I try to export and remove the tables to be updated, I get a message to the effect "Can't remove linked tables". Same thing applies when trying to remove the relationships between the tables to be updated.


While this might not be a concern today, it might preclude further development.
Any ideas on how to get rid of the legacy tables and re-import them without inheriting the relationships?
Thanks.

[hertfordkc]

I'm guessing that I continued working on the database(1) which had served as the basis for being split into a front end and a back end. I understood that when you do a split, a file is created with BE appended, and then you can create DE file which hides the forms, queries, etc. When you do that, is the base file(1) irretrievably modified?
Thanks.

[June7]

No, the original mdb or accdb should still be available. Otherwise, developer could never make design changes.

[hertfordkc]

Then I don't know how I got myself in this mess or how to get out of it.
Perhaps I can copy the objects other than the tables back to an earlier version of the DB, and then import unlinked tables to get to a version which can be freely updated.
Thanks for the reply.

[June7]

It is my understanding cannot import forms/reports/code from mde/accde file, tables yes. Some third party software claim to be able to extract from mde/accde.

If you want to zip the files you have and attach to post, we can analyse the situation.

[hertfordkc]

I'll try to zip the files tomorrow.
The database that I'm working on is .accdb
I could understand if I were trying to work from a BE or DE file
**************Oops. I just noticed that I have carelessly imported files from a BE file, instead of another accdb. Would deleting the BE file allow me to delete the files? I'm going to give it a try.

[hertfordkc]

I'm beginning to think that I murdered a database setting because not only can I not delete tables, I can't delete other objects. I can go to design mode and make changes, but I can't do a delete and import a replacement.

I've used Access since the '90s and this is the worst corner I've put myself in.
Any suggestions are appreciated.

[June7]

Hold down the shift key when you open the project. This will bypass the Autoexec macro and most project settings. There is a line in the Autoexec macro 'LockNavigationPane'. That must be the cause of issue.

What do you mean by 'BE' - backend?

[hertfordkc]

First, BE = Backend
Second- Because I could make changes to the Navigation Pane, i.e. expand and close views and choose design options, I thought the Navigation Pane was unlocked. My understanding now is that if Autoexec (or other macros) lock the navigation pane, the user cannot unlock it. The database must be opened without the macro having a chance to run if one need to make major changes to the objects and their relationships.
Many thanks for your help.