Problem linking to tables in Access 2013 & Windows 8

[JATIII]

I have an application that consists of 2 mdb files. db1 links to tables in db2. When I copied the databases to a new Windows 8 PC using Access 2013 (the version that comes with Office 365) I can't link to the external tables. I hit EXTERNAL tab but the External Data Manager Icon is grayed out and is unselectable. Is there some permission issue with Access 2013 and Windows 8 that I'm missing?

[AlexHedley]

Are these Access 97, 2000, 2003?

Can you open the 'Linked Table Manager'?

If you create a brand new db in 2013 can you not link to any other db?

Do you need the files as mdbs?
You could create two new dbs as accdbs instead, import all the objects from the original, save and now do your linking.

[JATIII]

They are Access 2003, unconverted because they've worked as is in Access 2007. Now I'm using Access in Office 365. Copies of the databases run on different PC's. They are not networked together. Development is done on a Windows 7 PC running Access that came with Office 365. The one I have a problem with is a new Windows 8 Laptop. The problem is the "LINKED TABLE MANAGER" is grayed out and can't be selected. It works normally on the Windows 7 PC but not of the Windows 8 PC. This is my first foray into Windows 8 and it seems like I'm missing something simple. I don't understand why the "LINKED TABLE MANAGER" is not selectable. That's the real problem.

[AlexHedley]

Are all the Objects (Tables/Queries) showing in the db?

The 'Linked Table Manager' is usually only greyed out when there aren't any linked Tables in the db.

Have you got any arrow symbols on the Tables in the Navigation Pane to show they are linked?


In External Data -> Import & Link can you press the Access button?

[JATIII]

I did a little more research and the problem doesn't seem to have anything to do with databases I'm using. I tried creating a new database on the Windows 8 PC with the intention of importing info from the original database(s). But the "LINKED TABLE MANAGER" is grayed out and not selectable. This tells me it's an ACCESS/WINDOWS 8 issue.

[JATIII]

Just saw your reply ... let me check.

[JATIII]

WOW . . . do I feel STUPID!!!! I hit the Access Icon and everything is fine. I must have been suffering from brain freeze. I think the Windows 8 shock has gotten to me. Thanks so much for your help.

[AlexHedley]

No problem, it happens to us all, glad you got it working