How to add 3 levels of access to a database

[Jonathan Stratford]

Hi,

I'm trying to secure a database, where i want
administrators who can access everything, Line managers
who can add data to a couple of the tables, and ordinary
users who can view most of the forms,reports etc but not
add data to any of them. I've asked about doing this
before when i started the project when i wasn't really
sure how i was going to set it up, and i was referred to
a document of Access Security FAQs. Using a methodin the
document which used the users/groups wizard, i have
created a secure version of my database with a shortcut
on the desktop. If i use this shortcut, the username and
password i have created do not work. If i don't use the
shortcut, i can't continue to change the security
settings. Either way, I'm not sure which settings to use -
the groups it offers me don't seem to be all that
helpful! Recently when i've tried to run the security
wizard, i chose all the options then it seems to hang
when it says "Securing objects" in the status bar. Can
anyone guide me at all with these problems?

Many thanks,
Jonathan Stratford

 

[Scott McDaniel]

Access ULS is complex and can be difficult even for experienced developers.
You must follow the steps in Section 1 of the security FAQ exactly. If you
don't, you won't have a secured database. Do this on a COPY of your
database; even thought the wizard will make a copy for you, performing this
type of task without first backing up is just short of crazy!

From what you've described, it's almost certain that you didn't properly
secure your database ... and also that you may have some issues with your
database re: corruption. Have you compacted your database recently? If not,
doing that.

Have you tried to compile your database? To do this, open the Visual Basic
window and click Tools - Compile. Fix any errors that come up, then compact
again.

Have you decompiled your database? While you don't really need to do this
constantly, it's a good idea to run this occasionally. The easiest way is
via a desktop shortcut:

"Path to msacess.exe" "Path to your database" /decompile

RE: your shortcut - what's the value in the shortcut's Target setting? It
should be something like this:

"Path to msaccess.exe" "Path to your db" /wrkgrp "Path to your workgroup
file"

If you point those 3 values correctly - and if your database is correctly
secured - then you will open your access session with the proper security
file.

--
Scott McDaniel
CS Computer Software
Visual Basic - Access - Sql Server - ASP

"Smash forehead on keyboard to continue ... "

 

[Jack MacDonald]

I wrote a paper on this subject that may help you. See the website in
my signature.

Hi,

I'm trying to secure a database, where i want
administrators who can access everything, Line managers
who can add data to a couple of the tables, and ordinary
users who can view most of the forms,reports etc but not
add data to any of them. I've asked about doing this
before when i started the project when i wasn't really
sure how i was going to set it up, and i was referred to
a document of Access Security FAQs. Using a methodin the
document which used the users/groups wizard, i have
created a secure version of my database with a shortcut
on the desktop. If i use this shortcut, the username and
password i have created do not work. If i don't use the
shortcut, i can't continue to change the security
settings. Either way, I'm not sure which settings to use -
the groups it offers me don't seem to be all that
helpful! Recently when i've tried to run the security
wizard, i chose all the options then it seems to hang
when it says "Securing objects" in the status bar. Can
anyone guide me at all with these problems?

Many thanks,
Jonathan Stratford

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http://www.geocities.com/jacksonmacd/ for info on MS Access security