Xcopy

[Guest]

I am launching a multi-user Access application, and post any new changes to
the front-end file to a shared network location. To ensure that everyone is
using the current version, I would like to use the logon script to copy any
new files to each user's local hard drive, using the following:

xcopy K:\BF\Data\*.mdb J:\Data /d /v /y /q

Unfortunately, although I've double-checked the syntax, it doesn't work. Is
it possible that xcopy wasn't loaded when my PC was setup, and if so, how can
I add this element?

Thank you.
Sprinks

 

[Kerry Brown]

I am launching a multi-user Access application, and post any new
changes to the front-end file to a shared network location. To
ensure that everyone is using the current version, I would like to
use the logon script to copy any new files to each user's local hard
drive, using the following:

xcopy K:\BF\Data\*.mdb J:\Data /d /v /y /q

Unfortunately, although I've double-checked the syntax, it doesn't
work. Is it possible that xcopy wasn't loaded when my PC was setup,
and if so, how can I add this element?

Thank you.
Sprinks

I don't understand what you are trying to do. For a multiuser database they
should all be accessing the same database over the network. It sounds like
you have them accessing individual databases on the local computers. I'm
guessing the reason xcopy isn't working is because the drives aren't mapped
yet. How do you map the drives? It has to be done before the xcopy command.

 

[Guest]

Kerry,

The database is split into a "back-end" file that contains all the data, and
a "front-end" file that contains the form, query, & report definitions, and
all of the VBA code that runs the app. To minimize network traffic, it is
common practice to load the front-end file on each user's hard drive, which
all then access the same data file on the server.

From time to time, however, I will wish to upgrade the front-end
file--fixing bugs, adding new functionality, etc. Once I am ready with the
upgrade, I intend to post the new front-end file to a shared network
location. Currently, I send an email around that a new front-end file is
available and ask that each user copy the new version. However, since users
vary in their patience, technical skill, etc., I am trying to automate this
process so that when they log on, if there is a new version of any of the
files, they will be copied to their hard drive.

As far as the mapping goes, I am not an expert in this area, but our K:
drive is titled "Shared Files on Diamond", Diamond being the name of one of
our servers. The J: drive is on the server, but our system has been setup to
mirror/sync this drive to each user's hard drive. AFAIK, all of the mapping
is already setup.

Sprinks

 

[Guest]

Kerry,

You are right; it must be something to do with the reference to the drives.
I just successfully ran an xcopy command, copying a file from one C: drive
folder to another.

Thank you for your help.

Sprinks

 

[JS]

One thing you don't want is repeatedly copying the Front End each time a
user log on.
I think that network shares may not be available during logon.
You might try a VB script that runs when the user runs MS Access (via a
shortcut) for the first time that day and if a new Front End is available
forces them to load it.

Also see Office Watch: http://office-watch.com/access/archives.asp they have
a lot of stuff archived.

JS

 

[Guest]

JS,

Thank you for your response; I wasn't aware that the Shared files might not
be available. I think your solution is a good one.

Sprinks

 

[JS]

Your Welcome.

JS

JS,

Thank you for your response; I wasn't aware that the Shared files might
not
be available. I think your solution is a good one.

Sprinks

 

[Kerry Brown]

Kerry,

You are right; it must be something to do with the reference to the
drives. I just successfully ran an xcopy command, copying a file from
one C: drive folder to another.

Thank you for your help.

You can map the drives with the NET USE command in the logon script before
the xcopy command. A better way would be to use unc names.

xcopy \\servername\sharename\foldername\filename \\computername\targetfolder
/d /v /y /q

 

[Pop`]

I am launching a multi-user Access application, and post any new
changes to the front-end file to a shared network location. To
ensure that everyone is using the current version, I would like to
use the logon script to copy any new files to each user's local hard
drive, using the following:

xcopy K:\BF\Data\*.mdb J:\Data /d /v /y /q

Unfortunately, although I've double-checked the syntax, it doesn't
work. Is it possible that xcopy wasn't loaded when my PC was setup,
and if so, how can I add this element?

Thank you.
Sprinks

You should be able to tell whether xcopy is present or not in the path you
are using by the error messages you get. Until you get more up to speed,
I'm not sure the answer is going to help you much.

Pop

 

[Brian K]

I am launching a multi-user Access application, and post any new changes to
the front-end file to a shared network location. To ensure that everyone is
using the current version, I would like to use the logon script to copy any
new files to each user's local hard drive, using the following:

xcopy K:\BF\Data\*.mdb J:\Data /d /v /y /q

Unfortunately, although I've double-checked the syntax, it doesn't work. Is
it possible that xcopy wasn't loaded when my PC was setup, and if so, how can
I add this element?

Thank you.
Sprinks

My copy of xcopy.exe is located in C:\WINDOWS\system32 I don't know
what kind of error you are getting but maybe you need to invoke it
explicitly as:

"C:\Windows\system32\xcopy.exe K:\BF\Data\*.mdb J:\Data /D:M-D-YYYY /V
/Q /Y"

Note: the /D switch takes a date argument in syntax example found when
executing xcopy/? I do not know if leaving the date argument off will
default to the current date. Lately I only use xcopy in dos mode to
copy the contents of one drive to another. I haven't used the /D switch.

It is my thinking that there may be some Administrative level Network
management commands to do what you want to accomplish more effectively.

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Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
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