Copying an Access Database

[Guest]

I am trying to copy an existing Access Database from one computer to another.
I have seen the issues regarding copying to a CD and can copy to a Flash
Drive. What is the best way to copy the database, including the data? When I
have copied it previously, the data is not copied at the same time.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

That would seem to suggest that your application is separated into a
"front-end" (holds forms, reports, queries, ...) and a "back-end" (holds
only the tables/data).

If you copy a "front-end" (to CD or Flash or ...), you are NOT copying the
back-end.

To successfully copy an application from one PC to another on the same LAN,
you would ONLY need to copy the front-end.

To copy from one PC to another (disconnected) PC, you have to copy both
front- and back-ends, AND you may need to re-link to the back-end tables (if
the new home is not identical to the old...).

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[Guest]

I'm betting that you need to copy two files at least. You've probably been
copying all the forms, reports, etc. but not the tables. There's a very good
chance that the database is split between a front end (FE) and back end (BE).
The BE has the tables.

Even after you copy both database files, you still could have problems. The
FE is expecting the BE to be in a certain folder. If this is the case, go up
to Tools, Database Utilities, Linked Table Manager to relink the FE to the BE.

 

[Guest]

Jeff,
Thanks for the help. Is there any easy way to identify the FE and BE on my
computer and what type of files should I be looking for?
Regards

David

 

[Guest]

Jerry,
Many thanks for your assistance. Is there a simple way in which I can
identify if this is the case and if so what type of files should I be looking
for on my computer?

Regards

David

 

[John W. Vinson]

I am trying to copy an existing Access Database from one computer to another.
I have seen the issues regarding copying to a CD and can copy to a Flash
Drive. What is the best way to copy the database, including the data? When I
have copied it previously, the data is not copied at the same time.

Sounds like you may have a "split" database - actually two databases, a
"frontend" with the forms, reports, code and queries, with links to the
"backend" which contains the tables. You'll need to copy BOTH files, and use
Tools... Database utilities... Linked Table Manager to relink.

Open the Tables window - do the tables have an arrow icon to the left? If so,
they're linked. You can hover the mouse over a table name to see the name of
the backend database, or use linked table manager to do so.

Copying either database to a CD will make it Read Only, and you'll need to
change the file properties back to read/write after copying it to disk. A
thumb drive shouldn't require this extra step.

John W. Vinson [MVP]

 

[George Nicholson]

If you have a frontend/backend setup then the data is on a shared drive
somewhere and *other people are using it*.

If you do manage to "copy" the backend to another location and connect your
frontend to it, it will be a stand-alone copy, no longer shared by others.
Any changes you make to that data will *not* be seen by others. Likewise,
any changes others make to the shared db will no longer be seen by you. Is
that what you want?

There are ways around that (replication, for one), but frankly, considering
the level of question you are asking they are way above your current ability
to implement (no offense intended, just you really, really, really don't
want to go there).

If you want to stay connected to the shared backend then you can 1) use the
Linked table manager to identify the current backend location 2) copy your
Frontend and 3) use the Linked table manager from your copied frontend to
reconnect to the backend. The difference may just be a matter of drive
mapping on the 2 machines: (for example: one machine maps the shared server
to S:\ the other to U:\)

Note: copying the backend while others actually have the file open could
badly corrupt the file and its contents.

 

[Guest]

John,
Many thanks for the help. I'll try that and see how I get on but as you can
no doubt tell, I am just a beginner at this.
Regards

DJK

 

[Guest]

George,
No offense taken. You guessed it eactly right, I am just starting out with
Access and finding all sorts of mine fields.
The database that I am working on is only a single user and simply needs to
be transferred from one machine to another so I don't think I should have
problems with other user access.
Thanks for the help.
Regards
DJK