Distributing security in Access 2002

[cwatters]

I've split our existing database (MS Access 2002) into a front and back
end and created user groups and passwords. Now it's time to distribute
this so that others can access it, and I'm not positive how to do this.
Currently, I cannot even access the front end, and I'm the
Administrator. Please advise! Thanks.

 

[Joan Wild]

I've split our existing database (MS Access 2002) into a front and
back end and created user groups and passwords.

Did you do it in that order? Did you secure both the frontend and backend
using the same workgroup file? Did you follow the steps outlined in the
security FAQ? http://support.microsoft.com/?id=207793

Now it's time to
distribute this so that others can access it, and I'm not positive
how to do this. Currently, I cannot even access the front end, and
I'm the Administrator. Please advise! Thanks.

You would put the backend on a server that all users have access to. Give
all the users read/write/modify/delete permission on the folder where the
backend is. Also put the workgroup file (secure.mdw) in the same folder.

Give each user a copy of the frontend on their computer. You'll likely also
provide them with a desktop shortcut, so that they don't have to change
their default workgroup file. The target would look like:

"path to msaccess.exe" "path to frontend" /wrkgrp "path to secure.mdw"

 

[cwatters]

Hi,
Thanks for this advice! It's very helpful. I found these instructions,
and have tried renaming the path for the shortcut on my desktop to the
front end. This did not work. Here are my theories about what the
problem might be:

1) I recently reinstalled Microsoft Access in order to use the Help
feature, and saved it in a different file than the C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Office\Office 10 that I was later told is the correct
location. (I tried mapping to that location, however, and that didn't
work either.) ;

2) I didn't do the Linked Table Manager step to relink the Master
Database (I was told this wasn't necessary).

I've got a couple of shortcuts on my desktop:
1) "Master DataBase" says the location is in the shared network folder,
and the file is "Master DataBase."
2) "Master DataBase.mdb" says the location is in the Office 10 folder,
and the file is "Secured.mdw."
I think #2 is the one whose path I want to redirect. I can open "Master
Database.mdb" with my password, but then cannot open any files. I
cannot even open #1 at all without the error message "You don't have
the necessary permissions to use the <name> object..."

Arg! Please let me know if you have any more suggestions.

Thanks again,
Cassie

 

[Joan Wild]

Hi Cassie,

Thanks for this advice! It's very helpful. I found these instructions,
and have tried renaming the path for the shortcut on my desktop to the
front end.

You would need to include the full path to msaccess as well as the /wrkgrp
switch and the mdw path.

1) I recently reinstalled Microsoft Access in order to use the Help
feature, and saved it in a different file than the C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Office\Office 10 that I was later told is the correct
location. (I tried mapping to that location, however, and that didn't
work either.) ;

Well I see you have a space in the Office 10 - that would do it.

2) I didn't do the Linked Table Manager step to relink the Master
Database (I was told this wasn't necessary).

I would do this anyway, to ensure that you are pointing the backend on the
server.

I've got a couple of shortcuts on my desktop:
1) "Master DataBase" says the location is in the shared network
folder, and the file is "Master DataBase."

What is in the textbox called 'Target' in the shortcut properties?

2) "Master DataBase.mdb" says the location is in the Office 10 folder,
and the file is "Secured.mdw."

What is in the textbox called 'Target' in the shortcut properties?

I think #2 is the one whose path I want to redirect. I can open
"Master Database.mdb" with my password, but then cannot open any
files.

I don't understand; do you mean you can't open any tables? You already have
the Master Database.mdb open and that is a file?

I cannot even open #1 at all without the error message "You
don't have the necessary permissions to use the <name> object..."

Well it would help to know what is in the target of the shortcut.