A new IT consultant was brought in yesterday and has determined that SQL Server was never properly installed or configured. In fact, there are 3 instances on the network but none of them is the Standard edition intended for use by this application. Since the new person is also working remotely, he requires the cooperation of the original IT people who have access to the media. They haven't been very responsive throughout all of this so I suspect complete resolution may take a while. The bottom line is this: there never was an issue with the data.

I assumed the IT consultants were competent, at least initially--but I couldn't see the whole network. What I can see should have raised questions though. Remote access can be a wonderful time saver but the required security can leave you like the proverbial blind man with the elephant.

Thanks to all for your input and assistance.