error when zipping file

[qwertyjjj]

I have an 18Mb DB, which needs to be zipped up in order to distribute it.
I used the standard WIndows zipping function by right clicking on the file and selecting Send to compressed zip folder.
All works fine until you open up the DB directly from the ZIP file and none of the references work, the file opens up with multiple errors etc.

If you extract the DB from the zip file and run it, all works correctly.

Now, the problem I have is that many users may not know to do this or remember to extract it so is there some setting that I need to change or is this functionality not available. I suppose I could create a self extracting zip file but that would need winzip, which other users might not have ?

 

[f_disk]

check your file

You may want to check the file as some will not work directly
from a zipped version until unzipped. Also, if you extract the file
to say your desktop and you have problems right click it and
see if in the properties are checked as read only. Uncheck it if it
is and it will work fine.
The other options maybe to use winzip instead of Microsoft...
you can use a trial version also make sure that none of your
referrences were referred to on your computer as they may
be able to be used by others.

good luck !

 

[qwertyjjj]

That's the problem, it works when unzipped, just not when zipped and opened directly from the zip folder.
It opens up as read-only from the zip file, which is what is causing the problems as users need to be able to edit the data.

I suppose I could create a self extracting zip file but only registered WinZip versions have that don't they ?

 

[jkl0]

When you open the DB from the zipped file, the file is actually copied to a temp folder to run and probably can't see where any associated references, paths or files are located.
You can create a self-extracting file with the shareware version of winzip.

Hope this helps?

 

[qwertyjjj]

That's partly it but the main error that comes up on the front page is:
"The form requires an updateable query".

I think this is because when the file is zipped it becomes read-only as any changes can't be made in the zipped folder and compressed directly?

If so, there's no way round that is there?

 

[boblarson]

Correct, you cannot make changes to an Access database that is in a zipped file without extracting it, making the changes, and then zipping it again. And as noted above, if you have a Db that references anything outside of itself, it will not be able to be viewed correctly either.

 

[f_disk]

try this link

give this link a shot ... there are a few self installer programs
you can get for free...ezInstall 7.3 for example...

Hope this helps you !
http://www.newfreedownloads.com/find/self-extracting.html