Access database for use on multiple pc's

[maggotdrowner]

Hi, I'm wanting to know (preferably step by step), how I can access an
Access file I have on one pc via other pc's in the office (upto 3).
I'm running XP pro, and the other pc's are XP home, XP media edition,
and there may be a vista home premium.
Access is Access 2002 on all machines.. Having looked around it seems
spliting into frontend and backend is the way, but having tried
different combinations, i'm stuggling...(Even to how you get a front
end). I only have one table(?) if thats the right term, and dont use any
of the other objects in the list (queries, forms etc) at the moment..
Having even followed the instuctions on microsoft support site, still
no joy.(Didn't think I was that daft..but looks like I am)
Thanks in Advance
Dave

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

The application should be split into a front-end (containing the queries,
forms, reports, macros and modules), linked to a back-end (containing the
tables and relations). Each user should have his/her own copy of the
front-end: it's only the back-end that needs to be shared.

Tony Toews has good information about this at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/splitapp/index.htm (although I'm not sure
whether he talks specifically about peer-to-peer networks, which sounds as
though may be what you're using).

Regarding your comment that you "only have one table". You should NEVER work
directly with tables: there's too much chance that data could be deleted
unintentionally. You should ALWAYS use a form, so that you can put in checks
to ensure that inappropriate changes aren't made.

 

[maggotdrowner]

Hi Doug, thanks for the quick response..
I realise that the split should be front and back end, but its HOW t
get each end.. The link to Tony Toews info doesn't really tell me muc
at all..

As for not working directly with tables, it's all i've been used to fo
the past 7 years...It's just now the time has come to have others in th
office entering the records..

Regards Dave

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

No offense, but just because you've done it that way for the past 7 years
doesn't make it correct. And it's even more critical that you do it properly
with multiple concurrent users.

Create a brand-new blank database, then go through File | Get External Data
| Link Tables.

Navigate to the database through Network Neighborhood or My Network Places
(or whatever it's called in your version of Windows), rather than navigating
to the specific drive letter.