Change Start Up options at Start Up

[Peter Hibbs]

Access 2000/2003

While developing a database I leave the various tick boxes in the
StartUp form enabled so that I have all menus, etc active. Each time I
deploy the .mde database file to the customer I disable some options,
primarily 'Allow Full Menus' and 'Allow Toolbar/Menu Changes' (if I
remember to).

What I would like to do is disable the menu options automatically when
the program starts if the file type is .mde and leave them enabled if
the file type is .mdb.

I found some code at :-

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa200349

which toggles the StartUp tick boxes correctly, the problem is that
the changes do not take effect until the next time the database is
used so for the first time they run the .mde file, the menus are
active. Is there any way to disable the menu options with code and
have the changes effective immediately.

Peter Hibbs.

 

[Klatuu]

Here is the link to a freeware utility I find very useful for locking down
and unlocking the startup options of a front end:

http://www.jamiessoftware.tk/propeditor/pe_jump.html

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

You most certainly can, and should hide all of the ms-access interface. The
options to complete hide and keep people out of the ms-access interface can
easily be done using the tools->start-up options. Using those options allows
you to complete hide the ms-access interface (tool bars, database window
etc).

Also, using these options means you do not have to bother setting up
security.

Try downloading and running the 3rd example at my following web site that
shows a hidden ms-access interface, and NO CODE is required to do
this....but just some settings in the start-up.

Check out:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/DownLoad.htm

After you try the application, you can exit, and then re-load the
application, but hold down the shift key to by-pass the start-up options. If
want, you can even disable the shift key by pass. I have a sample mdb file
that will let you "set" the shift key bypass on any application you want.

You can get this at:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/msaccess.html

Of course, during development, you will hold down the shift key so your
startup settings don't run. You then develop for awhile, and then to test in
"user" mode, you exit..and then re-enter the application without the shift
key bypassed. You will likely do this dance all day long as you run/test as
user mode, and then flip back in to developer mode (shift key used..so you
don't get the main custom menu). So, you can't develop, or really modify
things when you run your application with the startup settings...so you must
shift-by-pass them when you want to work.

And, in fact, I use alt-f4 to exit the application...the mdb file should
still be highlighted in the windows explore..so, then you hit enter key
(and, hold down shift key if you need be). This key stroke sequence and
exiting and re-entering the application will occur CONSTANTLY all day long
when you are developing.

When you finally have things just right...you create the mde
you plan to distribute...

So, just hold down the shift key when you want to develop....

 

[Peter Hibbs]

Thanks Dave, that looks like a useful little utility. I will have a
play with it.

Peter.

 

[Peter Hibbs]

Thanks Albert, I see what you are saying but when I open the DB with
the Shift key I still have to open the Database window and switch to
Forms, find the LogOn (or Switchboard) form and open that to start the
program. I was hoping for something a little more automated.

Peter.

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Thanks Albert, I see what you are saying but when I open the DB with
the Shift key I still have to open the Database window and switch to
Forms, find the LogOn (or Switchboard) form and open that to start the
program. I was hoping for something a little more automated.

Peter.

You should not have to do the above......

When I hold down the shift key, the database window is in full view.....

You could try hitting f11 to display the window, but I don't know why it not
showing...something is a-miss here.

When I exit..and re-enter the application in "user" mode (startup options
run), then of course the database window cannot be seen....

 

[Peter Hibbs]

Albert

Yes, you are right if the Database window is not minimized when I exit
the DB (which I normally do because it gets in the way of other
forms). If it is not minimized then it shows immediately when I open
the DB with Shift and I can then open the start-up form manually. Of
course, if it is not showing Forms on previous exit then I still have
to change back to the Forms window to open the start up form.

If there is no way of changing the StartUp options programmatically I
will try this method and see how it goes.

Thanks for your help.

Peter.