what am I doing wrong?

[stillabeginr]

Hello,

I am still learning access- I am hopeful someone does not mind helping me...no matter how easy or simple this may be. I will do my best to describe what I am trying to do.

I am creating a system admin database- starting from scratch and am willing to start over.

I would like to create 2 forms that work directly with the appropriate tables.

Table 1 (host/IP):
Hostname
IP address
User - uses a drop down already created
System - uses a drop down already created

Table 2 (system updates):
Action- uses a drop down including install, remove, etc...
Software- uses a drop down to select from including virus, system updates
Date updated
Comments

Form 1:
-new record button (to enter new hostname record and IP associated)
-find button
-save button
-Exit (database button)
-Delete Record button)
-hostname
-IP address
-user (drop down to change user if necessary)
-System (drop down to select laptop, workstation, etc.)
-"Add/update patch" button (which I would like to link to form 2 showing
only the records for the selected host/IP on form 1)
- "view all updates for this system" button (within last week or month)

Form 2:
- Clear or undo button (which will undo any field entered by mistake on this
form)
- Save button
- Exit (to main form) button
- Hostname field which matches what is on form 1
- user field which also matches what is on form 1
- Next, there are four separate lines (as seen below)- each with the
appropriate links to table 2. The purpose of the four lines is if the admin has
four separate updates to be entered, they can do it on one page, click
save and each separate will be saved and accociated with that hostname,
IP.
1. Action - Software - Date Updated - Comments
2. Action - Software - Date Updated - Comments
3. Action - Software - Date Updated - Comments
4. Action - Software - Date Updated - Comments
- System Admin field - this is to show who did the updates for the selected
hostname/IP

Now, I seem to be okay with form #1 (except the "view all updates..." button)
Form #2 is giving me a fit. I seem to be having problems populating all the hostname records that have been entered. Also, the four lines are not working independently.

Is it possible to have the date update field automatically update when action or software is updated/selected.

Perhaps I have the second form set up wrong due to the relationships or primary keys or I just did not configure the form correctly.

Sorry for the long message- I hope someone can help straighten me and/or this database out.

Thanks in advance,
stillabeginr

 

[yellow]

1: You have nothing to link the two tables. Try looking up relationships in Access Help.

2: You're having 4 lines on the second form, because the admin user may have 4 entries to do and this will enable them to do them all at the same time. What if they have 5 ro 6 or 9? Will there never be more than 4 entries? What I'm trying to say is if this number fluctuates just have 1 line for this. Then an 'Add New Record' button.

 

[stillabeginr]

Thank you so much for replying...

Actually I tried using relationships and no matter what I tried ...could not get it to work.

i tried to zip up the database and post it for you to glance at what I have done, but could only zip it up to 263kb. The limit is 100kb.

If you are comfortable giving me your email address, I could forward it to you to look at. I understand if you are not comfortable. Just looking at other options.

Thanks in advance,
stillabeginnr

 

[yellow]

Ok. So you've looked at relationships. So do you have User in both tables now, or have you chosen another field to link the two tables?


As I said earlier the first step is to create a link between the two tables. Have you compacted the database before zipping it?

 

[stillabeginr]

thanks - I compacted the database, zipped it up and was able to attach it.

I was trying to link the hostname fields together from the host/IP table and the software updates table.

I wanted to go to form 1- enter any new sytems into the hostname, IP table.
Then when click the updates button in form 1, it shows the hostname you already had selected from the previous form....only now you can enter any updates and they will only be associated with that hostname.

I hope I am making sense to you.

Let me know what you suggest.

stillabeginr

 

[yellow]

As I've said in my previous posts you need a field to link the 2 tables together.

What is HostName? Is it UNIQUE? I have a fealing it isn't. Do you use static IP addresses? Are the same users ALWAYS on the same PCs?

If you don't have static IP addresses, the users are not always on the same PC. Then you can't really achieve what you want by doing it the way you are doing it.

You need to look up relationships or primary keys in Access Help or these forums. Other than writing the database for you. Also what about this question?:

2: You're having 4 lines on the second form, because the admin user may have 4 entries to do and this will enable them to do them all at the same time. What if they have 5 ro 6 or 9? Will there never be more than 4 entries? What I'm trying to say is if this number fluctuates just have 1 line for this. Then an 'Add New Record' button.

I think the main problem is you've put data in some tables. These tables contain all the information you require. Then you've drawn some forms and some linked the fields from these forms to some of your tables. And thats it. Sadly, there is more to it than that.

Let me know the answers to ALL these questions are I'll try and help you some more.

Enjoy