Trying to set security levels

[Guest]

I have tried to set security levels in my database. I used the security
level wizard and seem to have gotten the result I wanted from my workstation,
but not from any others. The database is on a network drive and the security
..mdb file created was in the same folder. However, when I tried to open the
database from another workstation the passwork prompt did not come up and no
matter what permissions I set manually, they only work from my station. I
had set my security level as administrator with full administrator rights.
others could view, add info, update info...but certain things like deletes
need to go through me. I was able to sign in as a person from a lower
security level and the restrictions worked, but only from my workstation.
Since I was not able to get it to work on any other machine than mine, I
deleted the security .mdb file and got a recent back-up to replace the file I
had ran the wizard on. So now I am back to an unsecured database and I would
like to be able to set the security. Any tips?

 

[Joan Wild]

I have tried to set security levels in my database. I used the
security level wizard and seem to have gotten the result I wanted
from my workstation, but not from any others.

What version of Access?

The database is on a
network drive and the security .mdb file created was in the same
folder.

Do you mean the secured mdb file or do you mean the secure mdw file was in
the same folder?

However, when I tried to open the database from another
workstation the passwork prompt did not come up and no matter what
permissions I set manually, they only work from my station.

It sounds as though you secured it, but you didn't put the mdw file you
secured it with on the server. However, from another workstation, they
should not be able to even open the mdb, so perhaps you haven't secured it
properly.

I had
set my security level as administrator with full administrator
rights. others could view, add info, update info...but certain things
like deletes need to go through me. I was able to sign in as a
person from a lower security level and the restrictions worked, but
only from my workstation.

You need to make the secure mdw available to other users. Also remember
that permissions are stored in the mdb file. So if you are working on a
local copy of the mdb, once you've made changes,you need to copy this to the
server.

Since I was not able to get it to work on

any other machine than mine, I deleted the security .mdb file and got
a recent back-up to replace the file I had ran the wizard on. So now
I am back to an unsecured database and I would like to be able to set
the security. Any tips?

Download and study the Security FAQ
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=207793

Security Whitepaper
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=148555

 

[Guest]

Hi Joan;

Access 2003, but it always defaults to saving in Access 2000 format. the
file I was updating was the network copy and it converted itself into a .bak
file and the new secure database. there was a third file created with the
users and groups, it had about 4 tables with the info I typed into the
security level wizard.

The file wouldn't open from any other workstations, but the sign-in prompt
didn't come up either...just a message that I had no rights to view/read...
but with no dialog box to sign in with a username & password. I kept going
back to my machine and setting permissions, but could not be successful in
getting into the database from any other machine. I thought I ran the wizard
properly and the file is on the central server.

 

[Joan Wild]

Regarding the format, you can change that default in Tools, Options.

It sounds as though your machine is joined by default to the workgroup (mdw)
file that was created by the wizard. That is why you get the login prompt
and others don't.

You should provide them with a desktop shortcut with a target like
"path to msaccess.exe" "path to mdb" /wrkgrp "path to secure mdw"

On your machine, go into Tools, Security, Workgroup Administrator and rejoin
the standard system.mdw that ships with Access (maybe search for it first so
you know its location). Then create a desktop shortcut on your PC as well
to start the secure mdb.

 

[Guest]

I'll try that
--
Thanks,
Cassi

Regarding the format, you can change that default in Tools, Options.

It sounds as though your machine is joined by default to the workgroup (mdw)
file that was created by the wizard. That is why you get the login prompt
and others don't.

You should provide them with a desktop shortcut with a target like
"path to msaccess.exe" "path to mdb" /wrkgrp "path to secure mdw"

On your machine, go into Tools, Security, Workgroup Administrator and rejoin
the standard system.mdw that ships with Access (maybe search for it first so
you know its location). Then create a desktop shortcut on your PC as well
to start the secure mdb.

 

[Guest]

I tried it all again. I moved the access.exe to the network drive. I still
can make no headway in opeing the secured database from another station. I
have copyied the properties from the shortcut on the station that it is
running from, but nothing. I have tried pulling shortcuts to other
desktops...making the properties the same as from the desktop that it is
working from, but no luck. I am completely at a loss. The levels work the
way I set them, but not from other machines.

 

[Joan Wild]

I tried it all again. I moved the access.exe to the network drive.

Don't do that. Each user has a copy of access.exe on their computer. You
may need to adjust the properties of the shortcut on their computer to
correct the paths.

Let's step back a bit. On your computer, you have a shortcut that you use
to open the secured database on the server. Is that correct? What is in
the target of this shortcut - post back with that.

 

[Guest]

in the path that comes from my desktop are three strings each enclosed in
parentheses. The fisrt string is the location of access.exe, the 2nd is the
location of the database, the 3rd is the workgroup file. All 3 locations were
in the network drive in a shared folder.

 

[Joan Wild]

I assume you mean enclosed in quotes, not brackets.

The path to msaccess.exe should not be to the network. It should be to the
location on your C: drive where msaccess.exe is located.

As I understand you, this works from your computer, but not others.

If you go to another computer, create a fresh shortcut on their desktop
(don't copy it from your computer).

You can find msaccess.exe on their computer and right-click it, and choose
send to...desktop.

Then go to the desktop and right-click the shortcut and choose properties.
The target will have the path to msaccess.exe. Click at the end of that
target and add
"path to mdb" /wrkgrp "path to secure mdw"

They should be able to use that shortcut to open the secure mdb on the
server.

If it doesn't work, please post the error message.

 

[Guest]

I will try that and let you know. Since I am at work, it may be Tuesday, the
31st, before I get a chance. This sounds a little different than I tried
before, I was trying to use Access.exe from the server. I once again am
using a back-up and have deleted the secure database so I will need to run
the wizard again. Thanks for your patience. This site is great.