When sending FE.mde & BE.mdb – what’s the easiest way?

[Steve C]

I’m probably making some incorrect assumptions leading to incorrect conclusions, so I’ve set out what I ASSUME is right and my conclusion – but you chaps will know better.

Assumption
I read somewhere that Access Runtime is like a database viewer. It is similar to the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader will open a PDF. It will not allow you to create a PDF. Similarly Access Runtime is to “view” a database.

Conclusion
If my user copies my FE & BE to his computer, (with Access installed), he will be able to use ("view") the Application.

If Access is not installed, there will be an error message and I can advise the User to to download Access Runtime for free from somewhere (not sure where yet. Will 2007 Runtime do?).

Next Assumption
The FE will not be linked to the BE.

Conclusion
I just tell the User how to use the Linked Table Manger to refresh the links. – not pretty but effective methinks.

Does that work?

Perhaps what I am really asking is, Do I really need all the developer tools and wizzy background linking stuff - can this be done on the fly?

 

[pbaldy]

The runtime version is basically the full version without design capabilities. Versions since 2007 are available free on the Microsoft site. They will still be linked if you have the user put them in the same location you had them in, like C:\DatabaseFiles\ or whatever.

 

[Steve C]

Cool. Thanks PBaldy, Happy days. - I'll copy my FE/BE to a "Clean" computer that's never seen access and see what happens. I will report back with what happens in case anyone following might benefit

 

[pbaldy]

No problem. Presumably you'll get the usual Windows dialog when it doesn't know what program to associate with an extension.

 

[Beetle]

Conclusion
I just tell the User how to use the Linked Table Manger to refresh the links. – not pretty but effective methinks.

Not if they're using the runtime, as they will have no access to LTM and won't be able to link the back end.

 

[Pat Hartman]

The Runtime engine is more than just a "viewer". It allows you to update data also. It just doesn't allow you access to the design view of anything so you can't make new objects or design changes to existing objects.

As Sean said, the linked tables manager isn't available in the runtime. You will need to create a form that the user can use to locate the BE and then you can run the relink in code. OR, if you are willing to force people to install into a specific directory, you can assume that the links won't break when you distribute the app.

Keep in mind that the runtime engine also eliminates all ribbons and right-click menus so make sure you have provided everything the user needs via your forms. To test how the runtime will work with your database, you have two options. If the database is an .accdb/.accde, you can rename the extension to .accdr. This tells Access to pretend to be the runtime engine. Or, you can use the run window (or a shortcut) to run the app which will allow you to add a runtime switch.

C:\yourpath\yourdatabase.mdb /r

the /r might be /runtime, I can't remember.

 

[Steve@trop]

Just tested it. On my system it is /runtime. /r didn't work.

Pretty slick, I didn't know I could test the runtime that way! I just added /runtime to the shortcut target.

Steve

 

[Steve C]

Thanks Beetle

You’re right - as usual - there’s no LTM in Runtime. Also, you’ll know the link to the BE does not update.

Thanks Pat Hardman

I’m happy to force a user to keep the BE /FE together, I just need some vba to refresh the links on start up.

I found some at http://www.jstreettech.com/cartgenie/pg_developerDownloads.asp

But, it’s a bit overqualified for me. I’m after something simple(r) which will read whereabouts the FE finds itself, take “db1FE” off the end of that address and pops “db1BE” on the end instead and then makes the link.

Of course, I can’t actually write the code that does that - I’m just pretending to sound like what I’m talking about! Can you point me in the right direction of some vba please?

Also, I tried your runtime shortcut idea adding “/ runtime” (tried “/r” too) (without the quotes obviously) Error message says the file can’t be found. – is it because I’m in Access 2003 do you think?

Thanks PBaldy.

As you predicted, I did get the “Windows cannot open this file” on the “clean machine” I expected that and was ready to take a screen capture of the window for my HelpFile.

For anyone else following this thread, I got Runtime 2007 at http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=4438

Thank you again for your help everyone. - Best wishes Steve c

 

[Steve C]

Whenever I don't get an reply to a post - I think I've worked out why.

It is, I think, that the question I have asked is so daft, you chaps are just gently giving me some time to work it out. - It's a kindness.

So, I overcame my fear of JStreet table linker - And it's works a treat - just like everyone on here says it does. Still haven't got much idea how it works - but, on the plus side it does work.

 

[Beetle]

It is, I think, that the question I have asked is so daft, you chaps are just gently giving me some time to work it out. - It's a kindness.

Not necessarily. Sometimes we just lose track of threads. Glad you got it worked out.