Uninstalled msde, reinstalled it, but how do I "reactivate" the be sql DB

[Premy]

Hi there, I'm experementing these days with msde, since I feel it's time for me now to move to client/server developement. I upsized a test.mdb to msde (after all the recommended preps, mostly gleaned from this forum) and kept the fe in mdb format. All worked fine, but then I thought: what if I have to move this app to another pc? Moving the fe is no problem but the sql be? I copied testdb.ldf and testdb.mdf, uninstalled msde, deleted the sql folder, reinstalled msde, replaced the 2 copied files in the data folder. But that doesn't seem enough, I somehow must make sql server "see" them again. From the mdb fe I tried relinking to odbc source, but I just was able to access master.mdf.

I'm sure this is basic stuff for those of u experienced in sql server, and I'd appreciate all the hints u guys can give me.

Thanks in advance,
Premy

 

[boblarson]

With SQL Server, you can't just copy and paste the mdf (data file) and ldf (log file). You need to detach them first and then you can copy them and then you have to attach them. I'm not sure how you do all of that with SQL Server Express 2005 as I haven't worked with it enough.

I know all about MSDE 2000 though and with that you can install the client tools from a SQL Server 2000 install disc or SQL Server 2000 demo cd as well.

 

[Premy]

Thank u for your answer Bob. Well I do have access to sql 2005 and the admin tools at the company, thing is I did the BE on msde for I was led to think that if I'd create it in sql 2005, I would not be able to distribute my app on a pc that doesn't have sql 2005 (or at least one of the other "full" versions). Is this correct or is one allowed to distribute an app with a sql 2005 be?

Anyway, what would be the steps for migrating my sql backend to another pc and reconnect it there to the fe mdb?

Regards,
Premy

 

[boblarson]

If you use SQL Server 2005 EXPRESS, you can redistribute, but not SQL Server, the full version.

 

[boblarson]

There are ways to attach an mdf and ldf via code. I know it because a product I supported in my old job used MSDE and did just that. But, that is way beyond MY capabilities.

 

[Premy]

Ok, I achieved the attachment thru studio management, no problem. My doubt is still how to deploy my FE_Access/BE_SQLServer app to someone who doesn't have sql server(express) on his/her pc. How do I sort of include a "runtime" for sql server to be installed on the target pc. Or do I always have to install sqlserver(express) or msde?

There's plenty of info for the distribution of VS apps/sqlserver but I couldn't find anything as yet on the distribution of mdb/sqlserver.

Hope someone who've done this before can shed some light for me on the subject.

Thanks in advance

 

[boblarson]

They, or you (programmatically or manually) would need to install SQL Server Express 2005.

 

[Premy]

They, or you (programmatically or manually) would need to install SQL Server Express 2005.

Well it's exactly the programmatic install I'm interested in. Like I said examples for apps in VS/sqlserver abound, but for MDB/sqlserver I wasn't able to locate anything. Posting on the forum was precisely motivated by that: finding an answer which is difficult to be found elsewhere.

So if anyone could expand a bit on the HOW to programmatically install sqlserver and the Database which is to serve as the BE for my mdb fe, I would appreciate.

If I can't find the answer on a forum like this, dedicated to access, where else could I look for it?

Regards,
Jaime

 

[boblarson]

See if this helps:

http://www.cswl.com/whitepapers/microsoft-msde.html

 

[Premy]

Well it's certainly an interesting link except that the link to the vb code samples from msdn is dead. Searching directly on msdn (as I had already done) yielded no results either. Seems like ms has wiped out most of msde related content from their site.

My hope is still to obtain orientations from someone who actually did this.

Thanks anyway

Premy

 

[boblarson]

Looks like enough code on the page where I sent you to me. However, if you aren't used to MSDE, then it can be kind of daunting.

 

[frank_spencer]

Microsoft Access Project (MSDE) - Portability

Hello, I would be very grateful if someone could please help with the following enquiry which follows on from the previous thread.

I too, have just moved over to using Access as the front end and MSDE as the back end. I have created a web application that communicates with the adp file and on the PC where it was created, everything works fine.

Yet, when I copy the adp file to another PC (that has all necessary installations MSDE etc) I cant seem to open the adp file. I have even tried chganging the PC name of the 2nd PC to ensures thyat the SQL server name is the same as on the PC where it was created.

However, the adp file still wont open. I have to go into university and demonstrate my file working on thier PC but I cant figure out how to change the adp file SQL server connection details.

When I try and change the adp file SQL server connection options, I cant alter the options already selected so the file only works on the PC where it was created.

All advice will be gratefully recieved, thanks!