Question about Auto FE Update Utility

Jakboi

Death by Access
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Hello,

I have added this to my database but dont see how it would be used. I have a shortcut people use to access the database which ties in my workgroup file infomation so that they can open it.

Now when I send the MDE file to people they get the "dont have permission" typical response.

Now if people are goin to use the shortcut to the either my .mdb or .mde then couldnt I just make adjustments to those and then replace the file on the shared network?

Am I missing something or not seeing how this would be useful or needed?

Thanks for any insight.
 
How I handle updates to my FE is I send out a Microsoft Word Document with a command button on it. Then a write a function to copy the updated version of the FE to the users C drive. It has worked pretty well for me.
 
The auto update feature (if you used my tool) adds a version number table to the front end and backend, along with a master location table in the front end(you put in the location of the front end without the file name and without a backslash). Then, you populate the version number in the backend and if you change the version number in the backend, and in your master frontend) when the person opens up the front end it will see that they don't match and then the automated stuff happens (same stuff that happens for KeithG when users press the command button but without the need for you to send out an announcement or have them click anything).

The documentation I uploaded in the same thread should give you detailed info on how it works.
 
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Thanks.

Think i missing something to make me understand. See I made a shortcut to the database that binds it to the workgroup file. This allows them to be prompted by a logon. So people have the shortcut on their desktop, is this right?

The shortcut:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE" "\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Monthly Tracking\Pipeline Report\Pipeline Reports.mde" /wrkgrp "\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Monthly Tracking\Pipeline Report\security.mdw

Now if the shortcut links right to the database, then couldnt I just make changes and replace the database on the shared drive?

When I send them the actually MDE file or MDB file...it uses their default workgroup file on thier C: Drive so it doesnt open for them. I see a number of posts regarding ways to update the FE and notifying people about the changes.

I think I am not understanding how this should work, the best way to do it, or am missing a piece of the puzzle?

Thanks for anymore direction or insight.
 
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Every users should not use the FE on the network. They should have there own copy of there C drive to use.
 
Ok thanks Keith.

That is what I thought should happen from all that I have read here on these forums. However when I do send or have them copy the FE to their desktop...it uses their default workgroup file on their C: Drive.

The only way I have been able to get it work so far is with that shortcut. If each person did have a copy of the MDB or MDE file on their computer how would make it so it uses the workgroup file that is for that database?

Right now on the shared network I have:

FE
BE
Workgroup


But once they have the FE on their computer it doesnt use my workgroup file. Is their way I should fix this or approach it?

Would they have to replace their default workgroup file with mine, if so that may be difficult, is their an easy way to do that for them?

How would the FE on thier desktop know to use my workgroup file that holds the permissions and accounts?

Thanks Keith and bob for help with this and insight. I am new and this is my first database setup.
 
Ok just had a moment of enlightenment I think.

Am I supposed to do this?

Send FE to all Users
Have them put in folder on their C: Drive
Create the shortcut like this:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\Databases\Pipeline Report\Pipeline Reports.mde" /wrkgrp "\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Monthly Tracking\Pipeline Report\security.mdw

So that they have a copy on their computer to limit corruption. They have a shortcut pinned in startmenu that states where to find the right workgroup file?

This looks right...is this how to do it?

If so is their good place they should place it on their C: Drive...maybe in their MY Documents or something or does it not matter.

*Crosses Fingers*

Thanks.
 
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Ok I now have it set up like the above and for some reason the Auto Update Utility isnt working.

Here is my s_masterlocation:

\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Monthly Tracking\Pipeline Report

Any idea for somethign to try?

I think I have everything setup ok...anyone know regarding how this is setup what would be a place to look for the casue.

Thanks. Have a good New Year!
 
Okay so
1. You used the utility to add the version tables and the master location table to your database, correct?
2. You copied the code using the button and pasted into the OnLoad event of the form that loads when your front end is opened and that form is set to open on startup?
 
Hello,

Ok. I redid the Auto Update Install via the gui. I now get the following.

SEE ATTACHED SCREENSHOTS in ZIP

It gives me the pop up saying that my FE is out of date. It closes. Deletes my old FE on my C: Drive and doesnt not copy the new one. I have attached screenshots for further help.

Thanks.
 

Attachments

From the screen shot it looks like you are opening the MDE file from the master location. If you open the MDE from the master location and the front end is out of date in the master location, then it will delete the master and then there won't be a master to copy to the new location.

I am not sure why it is doing this, because what is SUPPOSED to happen if you open the master and the master location is the same path as the database you opened, the code is supposed to ignore the fact that this is an out-of-date database, because it is the master.

However, if you changed the master version number in the backend database and didn't set the master version number in the new front-end too, then it will not see the new master as being up-to-date.

I really wish I had a way to actually connect to your computer and see what is happening myself. Can you post a screen shot of the contents of your 3 version tables (the one in the backend, the one in the front end, and the master file location table)?
 
Ok.

The master FE/BE and MDE are located here:

\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Pipeline Report FOLDER

I have copied the FE MDE to my C: Drive here:

C:\Databases\Pipeline Reports FOLDER


When I use my shortcut that opens my local copy on C: Drive, it deletes my copy and does not copy a new one from the :

\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Pipeline Report FOLDER

I have the master copies on the shared network and supposed to copy each MDE FE from the shared folder to each users C: Drive.

Maybe I dont have the locations setup right?

Any ideas...Thanks.
 

Attachments

I didn't see a screen shot of the tbl-version_master_location value.
 
Oops sorry,

Ok. I have the screenshots from my s-masterlocation. The first one is from the shared drive which holds my master.

The second copy is from my local FE copy on C: Drive.

Ok. It doesnt actually delete my copy untill I double click the "UpdateFEdb Command script" that shows up in the same location as my local FE copy in C: Drive.

So it seems like its just not updating it. I can run it over and over. It says that my FE is out of date, says its goin to update, but doesnt do so. It just closes and thats it. It only deletes when I actually click the command script.

The contents of the command script are here:

Echo Off
ECHO Deleting old file

Del "C:\Databases\Pipeline Reports\Pipeline Reports.mde"

ECHO Copying new file
Copy /Y "\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Pipeline Report\Pipeline Reports.mde" "C:\Databases\Pipeline Reports\Pipeline Reports.mde"

CLICK ANY KEY TO RESTART THE ACCESS PROGRAM
START /I "MSAccess.exe" "C:\Databases\Pipeline Reports\Pipeline Reports.mde"


Thanks for any insight.
 

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Nevermind Bob....ugh found my issue.

Sorry and thank you for trying to help me through this.

My masterlocation should be:

\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Monthly Tracking\Pipeline Report

NOT:

\\nas\trustdivision\DivsionShare\Pipeline Report

IT WORKS GREAT NOW!!!

Thanks for the help I appreciate it.
 
Make sure that the MDE master has the appropriate version number changed (copying it over and over and saying it is out-of-date each time would tend to indicate that the master doesn't have the appropriate version number) and also, you may be suffering from the timing problem that someone outlined in my original posting. It may be that the batch file is trying to copy over the file but can't open it because it isn't finished copying. If you check that original post under the samples forum, look down near the bottom for the extra batch file code that Crich21 added (Print #1, "ping 1.1.1.1 -n 1 -w 2000").

Also, it may be that the network folder may work if it is a mapped drive and not if in UNC. We use mapped folders here, so I haven't tried using UNC on it. If that is the case, then you may need to use a different solution (I know mine is not the only one that's been posted on the forums here).


EDIT:
Glad to hear you got it working. I am relieved as I know it worked well for me.
 
Help with Auto FE update utility

I too have used Bobs great utility but am having some problems getting it to work properly.

local FE is on c:\ with record in local tbl-fe_version set as 1 and master FE on a network drive with record tbl-version_fe_master set as 2

One problem is that I don't really understand what the UpdateFront End() code (attached) is doing with the print bit and I don't see the "click on any key ..." bit appear anywhere so have commented it out :

My opening form is called Mainform. I get the msgbox saying "Your program is not the latest version... etc" The DB closes but although the copy bit seems to work when the new local front end re-opens I get various error messages about the state of the system and sometimes the modules etc disappear. Also I get another error about it cannot find an MSys object ??? Very confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Sam
 

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The click on any key part is part of the batch file that is being built and is just a part so that if it hangs with the window open and doesn't continue, the person will click any key which will then let the batch file continue.

local FE is on c:\ with record in local tbl-fe_version set as 1 and master FE on a network drive with record tbl-version_fe_master set as 2
I'm hoping that in the master front end you have both tables set to 2 and it's in the COPY that is on the user's computer that has the tbl-fe_version set at 1.
 
Bob

Yes I do have both tables set to 2 in the master and it's in the COPY that is on the user's computer that has the tbl-fe_version set at 1.

It is now sort of working but the database is not closing itself. The delete and copy is working Ok

I am having trouble with the re-opening bit as well because we need to login using a workgroup and I am unsure how to apply the target string from the shortcut we normally use ("C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE" /WRKGRP "K:\COMMON\DIS\Report Logging Database\Disrldb.MDW" "C:\DISRLDB_fe.mdb") into the bat file

I tried Print #1, "START /I " & "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE" / WRKGRP; "K:\COMMON\DIS\Report Logging Database\Disrldb.MDW"; " & strRestart" but this didn't work. I removed some of the double quotes as there seemed to be too many and now the string is wrong!!

Thanks

Sam
 

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