uPDATING A "READ ONLY" DATABASE

[Guest]

I received a ZIP file with a DB table. When I tried opening the DB, I
received a message "that DB was read only". I opened the DB, went to
properties, unchecked the Read Only option and applied the change. I was
then able to enter a record and save it. I closed the DB and reopen it and
checked my entry; the new record was there. Trusting my test, I proceeded
to enter about 50 more records saving each one as I went alone. Once
finished, I tried sending the "updated" DB to the person that had sent it to
me. My "updated" version has disappered and I can only find the original
version. Being a novice, I'm sure I did something wrong. Can you please
point me in the right direction. Thanks.

 

[Immanuel Sibero]

Daphne,

You should extract the the DB file from the zip file first and make your
updates. Once your updates are made, zip the updated DB file into a new ZIP
file and send it off.

Making direct updates to a file inside a zip file requires you to know
exactly what you're doing.

HTH,
Immanuel Sibero

 

[Guest]

Immanuel,

Thanks for your quick response. I did unzip the file before I started
working with the DB. Once I did that, I tried opening the DB and that's when
I received the "read only" message. I updated the DB file properties and was
able to add new records.
One thing I forgot to mention. When I wanted to work with the DB, I would
launch Access and the name of the DB was listed in the Task Pane. When I
clicked on the name, it would open the updated Table. However, if I went to
My Documents, I could only find the "compressed zipped" folder. If I click
on the unzipped file, I would get the "original" DB Table (not updated). Was
I really working with a "read" only copy? If that's the case, I don't
understand why I was able to "save" my updates and, if the new records were
really saved, why I cannot find the "updated table". Did I lose the updated
file?

 

[Immanuel Sibero]

Daphne,

I'm really not sure what's happening. I guess I'd like to know exactly what
you did when you said "I did unzip the file".
Did you unzip (i.e. extract) the file and put it in your "My Documents"
folder? Apparently not, since you didnt see the mdb file in there. But you
might have unzipped/extracted it somewhere else. If you did, whereever it
is, this is the copy that you should be working on.

When an Access mdb file is zipped and you open it directly from inside the
zip file, you're working on a copy that's created in a temporary directory.
This is the reason why you should always extract/unzip the file first and
then work on the extracted/unzipped file.

One thing I forgot to mention. When I wanted to work with the DB, I would
launch Access and the name of the DB was listed in the Task Pane. When I
clicked on the name, it would open the updated Table.

Let's not do this. Don't go to the task pane. Launch Access and specifically
open the copy that you unzipped.
Did you happen to notice the location of the DB that was listed in the Task
Pane? Is it in a temp folder of some kind?

However, if I went to
My Documents, I could only find the "compressed zipped" folder. If I

click on the unzipped file, I would get the "original" DB Table (not
updated).

That's right, if you click on the unzipped file you will always get the
original. This never fails.

Was I really working with a "read" only copy?

I dont know if it's "read only" or not. The bigger question here is WHICH
copy were you working on? The copy that you unzipped? The copy that was
created in the temp folder?

If that's the case, I don't
understand why I was able to "save" my updates and, if the new records were
really saved, why I cannot find the "updated table".
Did I lose the updated
file?

Did you get a look at the location of the file listed in the "task pane"?
From your description this is the copy that contains the updated table. So
you probably didnt lose it.



Immanuel Sibero

 

[Guest]

Immanuel,

See comments embedded in your emails below...thanks.

Daphne

Daphne,

I'm really not sure what's happening. I guess I'd like to know exactly what
you did when you said "I did unzip the file".
Did you unzip (i.e. extract) the file and put it in your "My Documents"
folder? Apparently not, since you didnt see the mdb file in there. But you
might have unzipped/extracted it somewhere else. If you did, whereever it
is, this is the copy that you should be working on.

I must have done something wrong when I "unzipped" the file because
when I went to My Documents, I did not see a folder with the file
name.
See more comments below.

When an Access mdb file is zipped and you open it directly from inside the
zip file, you're working on a copy that's created in a temporary directory.
This is the reason why you should always extract/unzip the file first and
then work on the extracted/unzipped file.

You are right....I must have been working with a temporary copy
because I
cannot find the "updated" copy with the new 50 records I entered.

Let's not do this. Don't go to the task pane. Launch Access and specifically
open the copy that you unzipped.
Did you happen to notice the location of the DB that was listed in the Task
Pane? Is it in a temp folder of some kind?

That was my mistake. I kept going to the Task Pane and opening
my "updated" copy which apparently was a temporary file. Somewhere
along the line, I must have opened the original copy and since then
I have
not been able to find the "updated" copy. Therefore, if it still
there, I don't
know where to look for it. I used Find and did multiple searches
but I always
get the original file.

click on the unzipped file, I would get the "original" DB Table (not
updated).

That's right, if you click on the unzipped file you will always get the
original. This never fails.


I dont know if it's "read only" or not. The bigger question here is WHICH
copy were you working on? The copy that you unzipped? The copy that was
created in the temp folder?


Did you get a look at the location of the file listed in the "task pane"?
From your description this is the copy that contains the updated table. So
you probably didnt lose it.

I have not been able to find the copy that was in the "task pane". So this

is what I have then since my last email.

I went to to the original zipped file and extracted the file. This time I
had a folder in My Documents with the DB name. The size of the file was 420
KB. I opened the extracted file and ran a test by entering a record, saving
and closing the DB. Everything fine so I'm assuming I'm not working with a
temporary file, right?

Now, different issue. I wanted to enter the record information in a
different sequence (to follow the order of a survey). I moved some columns
around and renamed the columns using the Caption parameter in Design View. I
also changed the Text Fields size from 255 to 50 as that's all I need. When
I display the records is Datasheet view everything looks the way I want but
now the DB is 5.5 MB instead of 420 KB. I have the same number of records as
the original DB as I haven't entered the "new" records. Again, being a
novice at this, I'm afraid I must have done something wrong. Thanks for
your help.

Daphne