Can't open database window using shift key...

[nigel]

Hi there,

I have an Access database that I distribute to my client on CDROM. The
start up options of the database are set so that the database window
is not visible to the users. When the database is updgraded the
database manager copies it from the CDROM to the relavant PC and then
uses the shift key on opening in order to display the database window
and link to the tables in the existing back-end. This procedure has
been done many many times without a problem...

BUT last week he found that holding down the shift key whilst opening
the database no longer opened the database window and leaves the very
limited menu bar (File, Window, Help). On one occassion he repeatedly
tried opening the database in this way and eventually the shift key
took effect and he was able to proceed. Subsequently on another
computer he eventually gave up.

There are no other special tricks security used in the database - I
don't understand why the shift key is no longer working. I developed
the database using Access 2000. It is possible that it is being
installed on a machine with a later version of Access - could this be
relevant?

Thanks in advance for any tips,

Nigel

 

[Tom Wickerath]

Hi Nigel,

I suspect that the position of the database window was somehow saved such
that it is not visible on your customer's PC. Have this person try clicking
on the menu item:

Window > Cascade

But first, they will likely need to reset the read-only file attribute,
since you mentioned a CD-ROM. Perhaps they are already doing this, but you
didn't mention it. It's worth reminding them, just in case they forgot.

Have you considered implementing VBA code to automatically re-link the
tables? This way, you do not need to burden your customer with the need to
manually re-link tables, each time you send them an updated front-end:

Relink Access tables from code
http://www.mvps.org/access/tables/tbl0009.htm

I suppose another possibility is that the Shift key on this person's
keyboard is getting sticky, and not working correctly, except that doesn't
explain troubles on two computers.


Tom Wickerath
Microsoft Access MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Tom
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/expert_contributors.html
__________________________________________

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi, Nigel.

In addition to Tom's good advice:

When the database is updgraded the
database manager copies it from the CDROM to the relavant PC and then
uses the shift key on opening in order to display the database window
and link to the tables in the existing back-end.

This should be automated so that the manager only has to accept the path and
file name linked to the first time the database is opened. Unless this
database application is for the masses, as the database developer, you
should know the path your client has installed the back end database on.
Professional database developers test the paths on their own computers so
that there are no surprises for the client -- and no extra work that could
be confusing for non-technical people, either.

It is possible that it is being
installed on a machine with a later version of Access - could this be
relevant?

Yes, it's relevant if it's either Access 2003 or 2007 and the Macro Security
and Sandbox modes are set so that the user has to go through a series of
prompts before opening the database file, and the user is holding the
<SHIFT> key down at the wrong time. The <SHIFT> key should be pressed just
prior to selecting the button on the very last prompt, and it should be held
down until the database is completely open. When that final button is
selected, that's when the database file is finally starting to be opened by
Access, so pressing down the <SHIFT> key before that time is absolutely
useless.

Another possibility is that the user is joined to a secure workgroup and is
being prompted for User ID and password, and isn't pressing down on the
<SHIFT> key while pressing the "OK" button to open the database and keeping
it pressed down until the database file is completely open.

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
Blogs: www.DataDevilDog.BlogSpot.com, www.DatabaseTips.BlogSpot.com
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/expert_contributors2.html for contact
info.