This can happen if:
- the database is large (hundreds of megabytes), or
- the disk is nearly full (may need 3 or 4 times the mdb size spare), or
- the temp environment variable is invalid (some versions of Windows).
Try compacting the database:
Tools | Database Utilities | Compact
Create a new (blank) database. Then import the table from the database
File | Get External | Import
In the Import dialog, click Options, and choose Structure only.
Open the table in design view, and change the field to Text.
Then attach the table from the original database:
File | Get External | Link
Then use an Append query (Append on Query menu in query design view) to
populate the new table from the attached table.