timothyking
asked on
Access database shortcuts not working
Hi, on some of our Win XP pc's, shortcuts to access databases located on our Netware 5 server will not work. If you open Access and browse to the file, it will open. Any suggetions?
ASKER
Also, if I browse to the database over the network, right click and choose "Open With" - MSACCESS.EXE
it opens! Or if I open Access, create a blank database, save it next to the problem one, make a shortcut to desktop and it opens!
it opens! Or if I open Access, create a blank database, save it next to the problem one, make a shortcut to desktop and it opens!
Moother,
<try changing the extension of the file and use access to open the new extension type>
:-O
This might be dangerous because of what they choose to rename it.
As with all things, certain programs are very specific about what extensions they use.
Files (within the same program) with different extensions are treated differently by the calling executable (Access does not treat MDB files the same as, MDN, MDT or MDZ files)
Changing extensions can cause havoc with registry settings and file associations.
I would not, as a first choice, reccomend simply changing the extension.
Let's first see if we can't figure out *why* the shortcuts are not working.
JeffCoachman
<try changing the extension of the file and use access to open the new extension type>
:-O
This might be dangerous because of what they choose to rename it.
As with all things, certain programs are very specific about what extensions they use.
Files (within the same program) with different extensions are treated differently by the calling executable (Access does not treat MDB files the same as, MDN, MDT or MDZ files)
Changing extensions can cause havoc with registry settings and file associations.
I would not, as a first choice, reccomend simply changing the extension.
Let's first see if we can't figure out *why* the shortcuts are not working.
JeffCoachman
timothyking,
Shortcuts can be tricky, especially when servers are involved.
You can't simply "Move" or "Copy" a shortcut from one place (user machine or server) to another.
Shortcuts can contain info on the Program Executable file AND the Data file.
(which themselves can be on two separate machines or Servers)
This info can be different on all machines.
If any path or mapping on the server has changed, the shortcut may not work.
Things to investigate/Try:
1. Simple Test/Fix: Try simply recreating the shortcut.
2. If this DB is split (and it should be if it is multi-user database)
Then each person would have a copy of the front end database on their own machine.
You should create a short cut to each users front end Database on *their* machine.
3. In the shortcut, use the full path to your specific Access executable, and the DB file.
For example:
In the shortcut's "Start In" box should go something like this:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\msaccess.exe" "C:\Databases\FrontEnds\Yo
As a test, open a shortcut that "works" and view it's properties.
Compare them to a shortcut that does "not" work.
Hope this helps
JeffCoachman
Shortcuts can be tricky, especially when servers are involved.
You can't simply "Move" or "Copy" a shortcut from one place (user machine or server) to another.
Shortcuts can contain info on the Program Executable file AND the Data file.
(which themselves can be on two separate machines or Servers)
This info can be different on all machines.
If any path or mapping on the server has changed, the shortcut may not work.
Things to investigate/Try:
1. Simple Test/Fix: Try simply recreating the shortcut.
2. If this DB is split (and it should be if it is multi-user database)
Then each person would have a copy of the front end database on their own machine.
You should create a short cut to each users front end Database on *their* machine.
3. In the shortcut, use the full path to your specific Access executable, and the DB file.
For example:
In the shortcut's "Start In" box should go something like this:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\msaccess.exe" "C:\Databases\FrontEnds\Yo
As a test, open a shortcut that "works" and view it's properties.
Compare them to a shortcut that does "not" work.
Hope this helps
JeffCoachman
ASKER
What's also strange is if I browse directly to the database on the network, and double-click, it won't open! No shortcuts involved. But if I open Access first and browse to it it will open! Also, If all users have a copy of the databases' front end on their hard drive, what happens when I need to make a change?
Thanks
Thanks
timothyking,
<I browse directly to the database on the network, and double-click, it won't open! No shortcuts involved. But if I open Access first and browse to it it will open!>
OK, so is the shortcut issue now resolved?
<If all users have a copy of the databases' front end on their hard drive, what happens when I need to make a change?>
If you make a change to the DB, nothing regarding the shortcut should have to change.
If you move the DB, then the shortcuts can either be remade(quick) or edited(not so quick)
JeffCoachman
<I browse directly to the database on the network, and double-click, it won't open! No shortcuts involved. But if I open Access first and browse to it it will open!>
OK, so is the shortcut issue now resolved?
<If all users have a copy of the databases' front end on their hard drive, what happens when I need to make a change?>
If you make a change to the DB, nothing regarding the shortcut should have to change.
If you move the DB, then the shortcuts can either be remade(quick) or edited(not so quick)
JeffCoachman
ASKER
Shortcuts won't work. The database can only be opened through the MSAccess app, or right clicking the db and doing "open with".
?
Now I'm confused?
<if I open Access, create a blank database, save it next to the problem one, make a shortcut to desktop and it opens! >
If you compare the two shortcut's properties, what is the result?
JeffCoachman
Now I'm confused?
<if I open Access, create a blank database, save it next to the problem one, make a shortcut to desktop and it opens! >
If you compare the two shortcut's properties, what is the result?
JeffCoachman
ASKER
They look identical except for the file name.
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ASKER
Jeff, I created a shortcut from scratch putting in the path to access and the path to the database and it worked!! Your the man. Thanks!
Tim
Tim
ASKER
Thanks again
;-)
The accepted solution is a work around that does not fix the underlying file association problem. This would mean that I have to manually create all MS Access shortcuts from this point on. I also have to always make shortcuts, because I can't double click any .mdb to open them.
I am having this same problem. Shortcuts that point to .mdb files do not work, double clicking an MDB file does not work. However I can run MS Access from the start menu, or by running MSAccess.exe and then I can browse to the database and open it. Everything works fine once it is open.
Has anyone found a real fix for this issue?
I am having this same problem. Shortcuts that point to .mdb files do not work, double clicking an MDB file does not work. However I can run MS Access from the start menu, or by running MSAccess.exe and then I can browse to the database and open it. Everything works fine once it is open.
Has anyone found a real fix for this issue?
CajunGator,
If you expect any constructive feedback, you should really avoid saying things like:
<"The accepted solution is a work around that does not fix the underlying file association problem.">
and...
<Has anyone found a real fix for this issue? >
If you are requesting assistance, using a slightly insulting tone will not garner you much support or help here.
JeffCoachman
If you expect any constructive feedback, you should really avoid saying things like:
<"The accepted solution is a work around that does not fix the underlying file association problem.">
and...
<Has anyone found a real fix for this issue? >
If you are requesting assistance, using a slightly insulting tone will not garner you much support or help here.
JeffCoachman
I have also had this issue. If you have IE7 installed on the pc it will do this.
If you uninstall IE7 and use IE6 the problems vanishes.
If you uninstall IE7 and use IE6 the problems vanishes.
Ozcom,
Yes I have seen this solution also.
The problem with it is, suppose you "Want/Need" to use IE7?
Besides MS is "insisting" you upgrade to IE7 by making it a "Critical Update"
And... the issue is not always present.
I have been running Office 2003 and IE7 for a while now, and I never had a problem.
Again, I have never had a problem opening a database if I set the full path to Access and to the database file in my shortcut.
See here:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=981310&SiteID=17
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21531316/using-a-shortcut-to-open-my-database-creates-an-error.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+access+microsoft+open+shortcut
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22656729/Database-opens-from-MSACCESS-but-not-from-shortcut.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+access+microsoft+open+shortcut
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22074929/MS-Access-shortcut-doesn't-work-after-upgrade-to-IE-7-0.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+access+microsoft+open+shortcut
Keep in mind, most of the time my shortcuts work fine as is, with no modifications.
Inserting the full path to the Access executable and full path to the DB seems to always solve these types of issues for me.
Just like relative versus absolute directions:
For example:
To get to my house, from your house, you make two left turns and one right turn.
This works great, ...as long as you start from your house!
As soon as you try those same directions from your school or your job, they will probably fail.
But If I said "Go to: 129 Broad street, Deer Park, New York, 11729"...
That will always work.
;-)
JeffCoachman
Yes I have seen this solution also.
The problem with it is, suppose you "Want/Need" to use IE7?
Besides MS is "insisting" you upgrade to IE7 by making it a "Critical Update"
And... the issue is not always present.
I have been running Office 2003 and IE7 for a while now, and I never had a problem.
Again, I have never had a problem opening a database if I set the full path to Access and to the database file in my shortcut.
See here:
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=981310&SiteID=17
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21531316/using-a-shortcut-to-open-my-database-creates-an-error.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+access+microsoft+open+shortcut
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22656729/Database-opens-from-MSACCESS-but-not-from-shortcut.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+access+microsoft+open+shortcut
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22074929/MS-Access-shortcut-doesn't-work-after-upgrade-to-IE-7-0.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+access+microsoft+open+shortcut
Keep in mind, most of the time my shortcuts work fine as is, with no modifications.
Inserting the full path to the Access executable and full path to the DB seems to always solve these types of issues for me.
Just like relative versus absolute directions:
For example:
To get to my house, from your house, you make two left turns and one right turn.
This works great, ...as long as you start from your house!
As soon as you try those same directions from your school or your job, they will probably fail.
But If I said "Go to: 129 Broad street, Deer Park, New York, 11729"...
That will always work.
;-)
JeffCoachman
Jeff, you're a star! These recalcitrant shortcuts have been driving me crazy. I'm convinced the problem is IE7-related, but your "workaround :P" suits me perfectly.
Thanks,
Karen :)
Thanks,
Karen :)
Great,
Gald that my solution is "Speading the love".
;-)
Jeff
Gald that my solution is "Speading the love".
;-)
Jeff
i think your server is set to block certain extensions.