Bypass Start Up Switchbaord

[Ken Hudson]

To bypass the switchbaord upon opening a db I have been holding down the
shift key while double clicking the db. However, this only works
intermittently. Is there a better way to do this?

 

[Stockwell43]

Hi Ken,

What exactly is it that you want to accomplish? If you do not want the
switchboard to open when you open the database you can have a different form
open instead. If want the guts of the database to show when open without
using the shift key, you will need to import the database into a new shell.

Hope this helps!

 

[Ken Hudson]

I have a swtchboard that opens when the db is opened. In this form I have the
close button disabled to prevent users from closing the form and getting to
the underlying db objects. This is the way I want the db to behave.
However, if I want to get to the underlying objects, I need to bypass the
switchboard form when I open the db.

 

[Stockwell43]

Gotcha now. You would have to use the shift key to bypass. I do that on all
my databases. Now there may be another way to code it by login ID or a
password form so when your password or Login ID is recognized it will
automatically open without the shift key. Some of these folks out here are
super smart with coding. Personally, I think that would be a lot of work. I
would just use the shift key.

Please expain intermittently. Because I have never had a problem opening a
database like that. When you click on the database it should pop up a
Security Warning box and ask you to Cancel, Open or More Info. before you
click on Open, that's when you hold down the shift key.

 

[Ken Hudson]

I turned off the security. I don't want to get that warning every time I open
access.
I think I have figured out the problem. I need to hold down the shift key
until the db opens completely. I think I was letting it go too soon after the
double click. Thanks for the feedback anyway.

 

[Stockwell43]

That is correct. That was going to be my next question to you. A lot of
people do that, it is quite common.

 

[Tom Wickerath]

Hi Ken and Stockwell,

A very easy way of coding this is to run some VBA code that interrogates the
NTUserID of the PC (ie. your Windows Username). You then compare this value
to one or more records stored in a people table. The people table can include
an attribute (field) that defines the user's access rights. This is the
"roll-your-own" method of security versus the built-in User Level Security in
Access 2003 and prior versions. Any type of security implemented in an Access
application simply raises the bar for other users; there is no true security
possible, but you can certainly prevent honest users from gaining access to
places that they shouldn't be going.

I've also never heard of the shift bypass key working intermitantly. I
suspect that Ken may either be releasing this key too early during startup,
or the key on his keyboard is not making good contact.

When you click on the database it should pop up a
Security Warning box and ask you to Cancel, Open or More Info.

This silly security warning was introduced in Access 2003. It is very easy
to set macro security to Low to avoid this silly warning every time you open
an application. In Access 2003, click on Tools | Macro | Security... Set the
security to Low. This should be a very low risk setting as long as you
maintain fully updated anti-virus software, you keep your AV software running
all the time, and you don't have a habit of opening .mdb files that others
send to you by e-mail (including messages purported to be from people you
know), unless you are expecting to receive such a sample, based on prior
communications.


Tom Wickerath
Microsoft Access MVP
http://www.accessmvp.com/TWickerath/
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/expert_contributors.html
__________________________________________

 

[fredg]

I have a swtchboard that opens when the db is opened. In this form I have the
close button disabled to prevent users from closing the form and getting to
the underlying db objects. This is the way I want the db to behave.
However, if I want to get to the underlying objects, I need to bypass the
switchboard form when I open the db.

While the database is open, press F11 to display the database folder
(unless you have also unchecked the Allow Special Keys option at
start-up).

 

[Ken Hudson]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the feedback.
The db opens to a switchboard form. I am trying (as much as possible) to
keep users from getting to the underlying objects in the db from the form. I
have disabled to close button property in the forms and set the
minimize/maximize property to none. I have de-selected the special keys on
start up function. However, in form view I still have the restore button in
the upper right corner that gets to the underlying objects.
I don't have the knowledge to write the code you discussed. What are my
options? I set up access security on a db about five years ago and don't want
to go there again.

 

[Tom Wickerath]

Hi Ken,

The db opens to a switchboard form. I am trying (as much as possible) to
keep users from getting to the underlying objects in the db from the form.

1.) Tools | Startup...
Uncheck everything, including "Use Access Special Keys" and "Display
Database Window".

2.) Tools | Database Utilities | Make .MDE File...
First convert your DB to the Access 2002/2003 file format, if it is
currently in the Access 2000 file format (you can only create a .MDE file by
using the underlying file format for your version of Access). Second, make
sure any VBA code compiles without any errors. Then you are ready to try
creating the .mde file.

One benefit of creating a .mde file is that it effectively prevents your
users from opening forms, reports or modules in design view. However, it
provides no protection for tables, queries and macros. Convert any macros,
except Autoexec and/or Autokeys, to VBA code first, so that you will have
minimal exposure to the possiblity of a user mucking with your macros.

3.) Disable the Shift Bypass Key
Use this utility, which you can download from my web site:
http://www.accessmvp.com/TWickerath/downloads/Shiftkey2000.zip

This will prevent the trick of holding down the Shift key. However, keep in
mind that anyone who knows of this trick can easily re-enable the Shift key.
You can secure this setting, using Access User Level Security, but a
knowledgeable user could still get around this.

4.) Split database, with the back-end on a file server. The shared folder is
only made available to those with a need-to-know (ie. RWCD privileges *only*
for authorized users of your application). In addition, to help prevent a
user from accidently opening the BE database, you can add an Autoexec macro
that tell's 'em to get out (either displays a message box, using the MsgBox
function, or open a form). Disable the shift bypass key on the BE file as
well. No need to convert the BE to a .mde, as tables are not protected.

5.) Consider implementing Access MVP Tony Toews AutoFE Updater utility,
specifying the %AppData% path. This way, you only distribute a shortcut to
your users. When they double-click on their shortcut, the compiled .mde FE
database is automajically downloaded to a normally hidden folder on thier
PC's. So, out-of-sight, out-of-mind. It becomes a bit harder to muck with the
FE app. if they don't know where to find it. Only the more computer saavy
folks in your organization will be able to figure it out. I discuss this
utility in this article:

Implementing a Successful Multiuser Access/JET Application
http://www.accessmvp.com/TWickerath/articles/multiuser.htm

These steps will keep honest users out. It's up to your company's management
and/or HR department to keep dishonest people from being hired in the first
place, and to deal with them in an appropriate manner, if they are discovered.

If you send me a private e-mail message, with a valid reply-to address, I
will send you a sample of mine for you to test out as a normal user. It
incorporates the above features.


Tom Wickerath
Microsoft Access MVP
http://www.accessmvp.com/TWickerath/
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/expert_contributors.html
__________________________________________