! How to Setup Security !

[TC]

Hi,

I have setup several user accounts and assigned them to
either one of the two default groups ("Admins"
and "Users"). Also, I have set the permissions (to tables,
etc) for the two groups.

I have however, removed the default user "Admin" from
the "Admins" group. There is however another user
called "Joe Bloggs" which has been assigned to
the "Admins" group. How do I change the default user of
the application to "Joe Bloggs" so that I can
assign "Admin" to the "Admins" group again (the way it was
by default)?

There is no such thing as the "default user" - except as define below.

Also, I needs someone to explain how Access's security
works? I don't understand what happens once all users'
accounts and groups have been assigned and allocated
permissions. How are users suppose to logon?

When Access starts, it automatically tries to log on using username Admin,
and a blank password. If that >works<, voila: you are now logged in as
Admin. If it does >not< work - perhaps because Admin's password is no longer
blank - Access will display a username/password box for the user to log on
manually. So one of the basic steps in establishing Access user-level
security, is to assign a password to the Admin user.

Another strange thing happened as well. Now that I have
the users/groups/permissions/owners all setup, when I load
up my login form, enter a password, and click on the okay
button (all of which was coded), Access will return an
error msg saying that the password is invalid. It appears
that Access has taken over my login form for its own
security purposes.

There is no way (zeo chance) that Access has take over your login form for
its own purposes.

Wembley, you need to locate, download & study the so-called Access Security
FAQ. Access security is a considerable challenge to learn. You will not be
able to learn it by fooling around. Get some recognized instructions (eg.
from the FAQ), study them carefully, then follow them precisely - in the
order given - adding & omitting nothing.

HTH,
TC

 

[Wembly]

Hi,

I have setup several user accounts and assigned them to
either one of the two default groups ("Admins"
and "Users"). Also, I have set the permissions (to tables,
etc) for the two groups.

I have however, removed the default user "Admin" from
the "Admins" group. There is however another user
called "Joe Bloggs" which has been assigned to
the "Admins" group. How do I change the default user of
the application to "Joe Bloggs" so that I can
assign "Admin" to the "Admins" group again (the way it was
by default)?

Also, I needs someone to explain how Access's security
works? I don't understand what happens once all users'
accounts and groups have been assigned and allocated
permissions. How are users suppose to logon?

Another strange thing happened as well. Now that I have
the users/groups/permissions/owners all setup, when I load
up my login form, enter a password, and click on the okay
button (all of which was coded), Access will return an
error msg saying that the password is invalid. It appears
that Access has taken over my login form for its own
security purposes.

I'm confused.

Wembly

 

[Wembly]

I'm curently reading the Developer's Handbook for 97 and
what I have done is step by step from the book.

I'm setting this up manually only because my security
wizard crashes at the end when it tries to create the
security file.

How can I assign Admin back to the Admins group? Everytime
I log in, I am logged in as Admin. I need to change
Current User to "Joe Bloggs".

The Handbook says do this in the Run
Command: ...msaccess.exe /User BLOGGS /Pwd BLOGGS to log
in as someone else, but this does not seem to work.

Whenever I open a new MDA, Access uses the same security
information as that of my other program. Is it looking at
a security file somewhere? If so, where is it?

Thanks,

Wembly

 

[Scott McDaniel]

You need to join the appropriate workgroup, or use a shortcut to tell Access
which workgroup to use. To join a workgroup, use the WorkgroupAdministrator
.... not sure where it will be on your system, but should be able to do a
search for the filename and find it.

To use a shortuct, add a new shortcut to your desktop and change the Target
to this:

"Full path to MSACCESS.exe" "Full path to your database" /wrkgrp "Full path
to your workgroupfile"

For example, I have a shortcut on my desktop like this:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE"
"c:\CSComputers\Projects\Secchi\SecchiWorkOrders2002.mde" /wrkgrp
"C:\CSComputers\Projects\secchi\Secchi.mdw"

Also, if the security wizard crashes you may have troubles with your
database. Make sure you have a backup of your database before making
changes, then decompiling/compiling your database. You can do this via a
shortcut also:

"Full path to MSACCESS.exe" "Full path to your database" /decompile

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE"
"C:\CSComputers\Projects\Glast\GlastWorkOrders.mdb" /decompile

You can also substitute /compact if you want to compact from a shortcut

You would still be advised to follow TC's advice re: the FAQ ... Access
security is a tricky road full of "gotchas" and the more information you
have the better off you'll be. The ADH books are great, but you need to use
every resource to make sure you setup security properly.

 

[cafe]

I'm curently reading the Developer's Handbook for 97 and
what I have done is step by step from the book.

But Wembly, if that is the case, surely they advise you to set a password on
the Admin user? That is a fundamental step in establishing Access security!

I'm setting this up manually only because my security
wizard crashes at the end when it tries to create the
security file.

How can I assign Admin back to the Admins group? Everytime
I log in, I am logged in as Admin. I need to change
Current User to "Joe Bloggs".

Do you mean, that when the database opens, you want the opportunity to
log-on as Joe Bloggs? If so, just assign a password to the Admin user. Then
you get a log-on box whenever you open the database. Then you can log-on as
Admin, or Joe Bloggs, or any other valid username/password combination.

HTH,
TC