Can programmer install a Database expiration

[InvGrp]

I had some work done on my Database a few weeks ago and it works great.

I just got an email from the guy who did the work and he wants me to pay him more money....he said he forgot to bill me for 6 hours.

I told him I didn't think that was fair and wasn't really willing to pay for more hours....he then said he never sent the "non-expiry" versions of the databases.....he also said I have 15 days left until they expire.

Considering I done additional work on them I was wondering if this is possible?

Bruce

P.S. I hate being taken advantage of.....he was really good to work with but now he's trying to rob me.

 

[Dreamweaver]

I had some work done on my Database a few weeks ago and it works great.

I just got an email from the guy who did the work and he wants me to pay him more money....he said he forgot to bill me for 6 hours.

I told him I didn't think that was fair and wasn't really willing to pay for more hours....he then said he never sent the "non-expiry" versions of the databases.....he also said I have 15 days left until they expire.

Considering I done additional work on them I was wondering if this is possible?

Bruce

P.S. I hate being taken advantage of.....he was really good to work with but now he's trying to rob me.

Sorry To Say But Yes Either Using The Registry Or By Hard Coding A Date.

Maybe you should wait the 15 Days before handing over more cash and if you paid what you were invoiced for then and didn't get the fully functional program then if that was me I would be takin legal advice.

Trouble you now have is he has the master design copie where changes can be made unless he sent you the front end as an unprotected MDB rather then an mde.

It's a shame but that sort of thing happens most of my work gets invoiced monthly under estimates with the final bill being sent on completion of the job which would be the total hours worked between last invoice and final If I forgot 6 hours that's my bad management not the clients.

You will have problems with any future updates unless you have the design version it could mean you having the project completely rebuilt or paying this person for an open code version.

Good Luck

Mick

 

[gemma-the-husky]

if you have done extra work on the database, surely that means you have access to the code, or do you just mean you have put extra data in them.

over a lifetime 6 hrs work must be worthwhile if the app does what you want - negotiate with him, and/or find somewone else in future.

beware of this in future. if you only get an mde you are locked in to the programmer for good.

 

[InvGrp]

Thanks guys for the response.

My DB is split between a backend and frontend.

My original programmer who took my DB and made it better has unfortunately, retired.

The newest programmer is the problem.

Both BE and FE are .MDB files and yes, I can see the code.

If he did hard code a date can it be edited and if so, where would it be located?

Fortunately, the things I had him do were mostly cosmetic (with a couple of exceptions) so, its no big deal to use the prior DB.

The sad part is his quote was for 6 hours and that's what he billed me for....then 2 weeks later he wants another 6 more hours.

Thanks Again.

Bruce

 

[gemma-the-husky]

if you have the code I am sure that (if) when it stops working you will be able to trace it and fix it.

what you ought to do is copy the dbs now, and in the startup utilities set the startup form in the copy to be blank, just in case there is some booby trap in the startup form that might damage your data or database.

then in whichever form is the startup form, have a look at the form open or form load event, since that will be the first thing the dbs does.

 

[boblarson]

or you can check to see if there is an autoexec macro. Also, you can go to Tools > Options > VIEW and check the box that says Hidden objects and the one that says System objects to see if there's a hidden form loaded.
(there, I've gone and let one of my secrets out of the bag )

 

[Dreamweaver]

Do What gemma-the-husky Says Back It Up And Reset The Startup But I can get around the startup It's not a problem,

Wait till the 15 Days are up if it stops working then I'm sure somebody on hear will fix it for ya if not just let me know.

Mick

 

[InvGrp]

Quick question: if I were to change the date on my computer would that not trigger the expiration when I start up Access?

I did just that and the DB loaded with no problem.

I wonder if the programmer just said there was an expiration date to mess with me?

All suggestions have been very helpful and thanks.

Happy Holidays.

Bruce

 

[Dreamweaver]

Quick question: if I were to change the date on my computer would that not trigger the expiration when I start up Access?

I did just that and the DB loaded with no problem.

I wonder if the programmer just said there was an expiration date to mess with me?

All suggestions have been very helpful and thanks.

Happy Holidays.

Bruce

Sound like he just wanted to get ya worried enough to shell out some more which is what it sounded like to me exp after knowing you have an unprotected mdb LOL