How do I receive an access database?

[rpsjn]

Need to get a database from a customer and would like them to email it to me
is this possible? I had them try but I never received it. Thanks for any help.

 

[BruceM]

Some e-mail server software or other security settings may disallow any
database file. Maybe you can get the e-mail administrator to make changes
in the setting that disallows databases, but if not, one way I have gotten
around that is to rename it as a text file (DatabaseName.txt). To do so I
think the user will need to go to My Computer > Tools > Folder Options >
View and clear the check box for Hide file extensions. Another possibility,
although I have not tried it, is to use a web location (something like Yahoo
Briefcase, or else a web site) to pass files back and forth.

 

[Kevin3NF]

The Access database is just a simple .mdb file.

Find that, compress it using Winzip or similar tool, and email it if the
size is acceptable. Otherwise, you may need to transfer via FTP.

HTH,

 

[Cheese_whiz]

If you use outlook (on the receiving end), I think you'll have trouble even
if you zip them. You can use .jar files (an alternative archive format) and
you should be ok. If you need a program to create .jar files, try IZarc
(google for it). I ran across it a year or so ago and have just stuck with
it.

Good luck,
CW

 

[BruceM]

The issue is not that Outlook is the e-mail program, but rather the security
settings that are applied at the administrative level. Adminstrators have
been known to prefer the simple approach of assuming all files of a certain
type are dangerous rather than going to the trouble of devising a solution.
I had one security "professional" bluntly inform me (in reference to a Word
form containing form fields) that "Macros are dangerous." Unfortunately,
there's not much you can do when such "experts" have management's ear.

 

[Cheese_whiz]

From my understanding, Outlook blocks certain types of files (type 1) from
being received. There is no control over those files (no settings within the
Outlook client) UNLESS you are running exchange server and have access to
the administrative settings to it.

Lots of people might have "clients" and not be running their own exchange
server or want to figure out who they need to talk to for autoriazation to
change the security settings for the one(s) their company runs.

I made the previous post because 1. the post prior to mine suggested zipping
the file, but I've found that zip files didn't work (at least for me), and
2. I've recently addressed a set of circumstances that may very well be
EXACTLY like the OP's (since he didn't give out details in terms of his
situation).

CW

 

[BruceM]

I have only used recent versions of Outlook in conjunction with Exchange
Server, and should have been clear on that point. I am a bit surprised that
Outlook as a stand-alone program (on a home computer, for instance) blocks
all programs of a certain type, no matter what. I will investigate further,
but in any case thanks for the observation about the alternate zip utility
(I have found, as have you, that .zip files have the same problems as the
..mdb files).

 

[gls858]

I have only used recent versions of Outlook in conjunction with Exchange
Server, and should have been clear on that point. I am a bit surprised that
Outlook as a stand-alone program (on a home computer, for instance) blocks
all programs of a certain type, no matter what. I will investigate further,
but in any case thanks for the observation about the alternate zip utility
(I have found, as have you, that .zip files have the same problems as the
..mdb files).

I receive database files all the time with Outlook 2003. No special
settings. My guess is the file is to large. Some ISP's limit the size
to as little a 2 megabytes. No notice, no bounce they just drop them.

gls858

 

[John Vinson]

I am a bit surprised that
Outlook as a stand-alone program (on a home computer, for instance) blocks
all programs of a certain type, no matter what.

Oh, it does indeed! :-{(

You can get into the Registry Editor and override or change this
behavior, if you're brave enough to (by analogy) tinker with the fuel
injector controller of a car moving down the highway at full speed...
well, it's not THAT bad but it's still risky.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Cheese_whiz]

Here's the info I've previously read. It indicates zip files are ok, but I'm
pretty sure I've had trouble with them in the past x-ferring access files.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011894211033.aspx

Also, this quoted directly from the help files:

To provide enhanced security, Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 is designed to
prevent you from unblocking attachments.

Because Outlook is so widely used, it has been the target of several virus
attacks in the past that have affected millions of people. Microsoft has
acted to protect people from files, such as .exe and .bat files, that are
often used to run malicious scripts when opened. Unfortunately this makes
file sharing less convenient for many people, but security must take
precedence.

Microsoft Office 2003 file types most commonly shared between people, such
as .doc, .xls, and .ppt files, are not blocked.

If you need to share files that have file types blocked by this feature, you
have several options, including the following:

Rename the files to include a temporary file type that is not on the list of
blocked file types. For example, you might rename MyFile.exe to
MyFile.exe_EXTRA, and then attach the file to the e-mail message. You can
include instructions in the message to save the file with the correct name,
for example, MyFile.exe, when the recipients save the file to their computers.
Use a program, such as WinZip, to package files before you attach them to
your e-mail message. In your message, you can include instructions explaining
how to extract the files from the package to make it easy for recipients to
access the files.
Post the files to a secure network share. In your message, you can include a
link to the share that you have given the recipients access to.

If your organization uses Microsoft Exchange Server, your e-mail
administrator can control which file types are blocked. For more information,
contact your administrator. If you are the e-mail administrator, you can
learn more about configuring blocked attachment behavior in Outlook by
referencing the Microsoft Office 2003 Editions Resource Kit in the online
Deployment Center. See Configuring Outlook Security Features to Help Prevent
Viruses.

CW

 

[BruceM]

It is not the file size. Links to mdb files, akong with mdb, mde, and exe
attachments (and probably some others), are blocked by Exchange Server in my
situation. So much for self-extracting zip files.

 

[BruceM]

I guess I understand the need. A lot of people just open any and all
attachments directly from the e-mail. I tried to e-mail some mde files
after renaming them as txt files. The e-mail advised people (in all caps,
no less) to read the directions before doing anything, and provided
directions for copying and renaming the file, but sure enough several people
told me that they had tried to open the file and saw only gibberish.
Still, I wish there was an easier way than registry edits to accept
responsibility for my own communications.

 

[Joan Wild]

You can get into the Registry Editor and override or change this
behavior, if you're brave enough to (by analogy) tinker with the fuel
injector controller of a car moving down the highway at full speed...
well, it's not THAT bad but it's still risky.

Or you can get an addin that does it for you:
Outlook 2002, Outlook 2000 SP3 and Outlook 2003 Attachment Options
http://www.slovaktech.com/attachmentoptions.htm

 

[BruceM]

It's good to know about that. I've bookmarked the site. Thanks for the
link.

 

[kathiemt]

I'll have to give this one a try. I don't use Exchange Server and I was able
to receive .mdb files fine when I first set up Outlook 2003 on my computer
about 8 months ago. What's changed? I expect some patch or update has
changed things.

When you have clients who only know computer basics, even getting them to
send an attachment is a challenge. I'm not about to ask them to try and
change the file ending or zip a file when they don't know what they're doing.

Personally I think MS should get their act together on this one - why create
a program and then block it for receiving via email if it's going to be a
widely used program for service providers and their clients. There must
surely be a work around for this????

Kathie Thomas

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

There must surely be a work around for this????

You mean other than the 2 that Joan suggested?

 

[Joan Wild]

I'll have to give this one a try. I don't use Exchange Server and I was
able
to receive .mdb files fine when I first set up Outlook 2003 on my computer
about 8 months ago. What's changed? I expect some patch or update has
changed things.

That is exactly what happened.

When you have clients who only know computer basics, even getting them to
send an attachment is a challenge. I'm not about to ask them to try and
change the file ending or zip a file when they don't know what they're
doing.

Personally I think MS should get their act together on this one - why
create
a program and then block it for receiving via email if it's going to be a
widely used program for service providers and their clients. There must
surely be a work around for this????

Read those two paragraphs again. It is precisely because of users who
"don't know what they're doing" that blocking attachments was implemented.
These are the users that would clickity-click on anything that comes in and
then infest their computers with dear-knows-what. Then you'd be here
complaining that MS isn't doing enough to protect users - they can't win.

You have a number of options:
1. Have your users use a compression utility like WinZip or 'Compressed
Folders' in Win XP to zip up the files. Consider this an opportunity to
teach them something new. Afterall, they should be zipping up any files
they send to anyone, not just to get past Outlook's blocking, but also as a
courtesy to the email receiver. The attachment is much smaller; many ISPs
limit the size of a single email that can be sent/received.

2. Don't send your files by email. It isn't that costly (perhaps even free)
for you to set up a website where your clients can download/upload files. Or
you can use something like http://www.yousendit.com/

3. Use the addin that I linked to earlier.

[/QUOTE]

 

[kathiemt]

Thanks for confirming that a patch/update was what changed things.

Yes, I know that people click on things they shouldn't. All I'm saying is
that I feel there could be an additional Option in Tools in Outlook, so that
users can elect to say 'yes, I do want to receive files of this type'. If it
were buried inside advanced options of something it could still be found by
those who need it. The client is remote, i.e. I'm not located anywhere near
them so to try and explain how to use a zip program is a bit difficult, added
to that their English is limited. I've installed the slovatech option and am
hoping that will do the trick.