Problem with Table with OLE Object field

[Martin Provencal]

I hope this is the right forum for this.
I'm running Access 97 SR-2 on a Windows 2000 SP-4 machine. I need a
table that stores employee names, badge numbers and their picture. I
created a "OLE Object" field to store 260x430x16 million color
bitmaps. When I try to insert the object, Access gives me an hour
glass and then just sits there. Task Manager shows that Access is
running (hasn't stopped responding) but if I look at Processes, I see
no CPU activity for Access. I've tried it both using the "Link"
checkbox and without using it. No difference. I even reinstalled
Office 97 Professional to make sure all filters and such were
installed. In fact, I did a custom install and selected everything.
Again, no difference. We use the same software (Office 97
Professional SR-2) at work and I don't have this problem. Any ideas
why I can't get pictures in my table?

Thanks in advance for any and all ideas.
-Martin

 

[Tim Ferguson]

(e-mail address removed) (Martin Provencal) wrote in

I
created a "OLE Object" field to store 260x430x16 million color
bitmaps.

First mistake: Access is really bad at storing binaries in OLE fields, and
adds a huge amount of overhead. You will rapidly be heading for the 2GB
limit for an MDB file.

Recommended method is to use a text field to hold the filename/ path to the
file kept on an accessible part of a hard disk.

When I try to insert the object, Access gives me an hour
glass and then just sits there.

How are you inserting the object? Despite the limitations, OLE controls
have always worked as advertised for me.

HTH


Tim F

 

[Martin Provencal]

Thanks for responding, Tim.
I didn't know Access had a 2 gig limit. I only need about 200 pics in
the database. At the size I mentioned and with a 6 digit clock number
field, first name and last name field, middle initial, nick name, and
possible a boolean supervisor field, do you think I'll hit the 2 gig
limit? As for your aother question, I've tried right-clicking the
field in table view and choosing Insert Object and using Insert |
Object | Create From File dropdown menu. Both give me the same
results.

-Martin

(e-mail address removed) (Martin Provencal) wrote in

I'm running Access 97 SR-2 on a Windows 2000 SP-4 machine. I need a
table that stores employee names, badge numbers and their picture.When I try to insert the object, Access gives me an hour
glass and then just sits there. Task Manager shows that Access is
running (hasn't stopped responding) but if I look at Processes, I see
no CPU activity for Access. I've tried it both using the "Link"
checkbox and without using it. No difference. I even reinstalled
Office 97 Professional to make sure all filters and such were
installed. In fact, I did a custom install and selected everything.
Again, no difference. We use the same software (Office 97
Professional SR-2) at work and I don't have this problem. Any ideas
why I can't get pictures in my table?

 

[Tim Ferguson]

(e-mail address removed) (Martin Provencal) wrote in

I only need about 200 pics in
the database. At the size I mentioned and with a 6 digit clock number
field, first name and last name field, middle initial, nick name, and
possible a boolean supervisor field, do you think I'll hit the 2 gig
limit?

I really can't answer this question from any experience, because nobody I
know does it this way. It could be okay, but as I said, it's not widely

As for your aother question, I've tried right-clicking the
field in table view and choosing Insert Object and using Insert |
Object | Create From File dropdown menu. Both give me the same
results.

Ugh. Don't do things with table datasheets: always use a form. That said,
though, I can't explain why it's so slow, but it might depend on what
default application you have set for the bitmaps. If that is Internet
Explorer then it could be a very long time.

Sorry I can't be more exact.
Best wishes


Tim F

 

[Martin Provencal]

(e-mail address removed) (Martin Provencal) wrote in


I really can't answer this question from any experience, because nobody I
know does it this way. It could be okay, but as I said, it's not widely


Ugh. Don't do things with table datasheets: always use a form. That said,
though, I can't explain why it's so slow, but it might depend on what
default application you have set for the bitmaps. If that is Internet
Explorer then it could be a very long time.

Sorry I can't be more exact.
Best wishes


Tim F

Thanks for staying in touch, Tim. It's not a matter of displaying it
in Access. I can view the pic in my form in the version I brought
home from work but I can't add pics. No error, just an hour
glass....forever. At work, using the exact same software across the
board, things work fine. But I send the database home and I can't add
a picture to the database. And it's not just slow, it quits
responding. I've let it run all night. Still just an hour glass in
the morning. I'm using Paint Shop Pro as my application for bitmaps.
I've tried changing it to Imaging and I've tried both PSP 4.12 (I know
it's old) and PSP 8.0. I prefer 4.12 because I can't figure out how
to use 8.0...to complicated!

I'm backing up my data now and going to completly reload my machine.
Hopefully that will help. Thanks again for staying in touch, since
you're the only one with any suggestions. I'll post again after the
reload in case you're interested.

-Martin

 

[Tim Ferguson]

(e-mail address removed) (Martin Provencal) wrote in

I'm backing up my data now and going to completly reload my machine.
Hopefully that will help. Thanks again for staying in touch, since
you're the only one with any suggestions. I'll post again after the
reload in case you're interested.

Best of luck: sorry I can't suggest anything. The OLE fields have never
been a great success in Jet AFAIK.

Tim F