Securely distribute application

H

Howard

Hi!

I have created a small application which I want to sell. I need to be able
to stop the end user from editing the forms or reports. I don't care about
the tables or queries really. I have the database window hidden and it's menu
driven. Of course someone in the know will hold the shift key and bring up
the database window, then I'm cooked. How can I protect my application? Also,
if a user does not have Access, is there a run-time version for free
distribution or something like that. Please advise.
 
R

Rick Brandt

Howard said:
Hi!

I have created a small application which I want to sell. I need to be able
to stop the end user from editing the forms or reports. I don't care about
the tables or queries really. I have the database window hidden and it's menu
driven. Of course someone in the know will hold the shift key and bring up
the database window, then I'm cooked. How can I protect my application? Also,
if a user does not have Access, is there a run-time version for free
distribution or something like that. Please advise.

If you make an MDE from your MDB (which you keep a copy of) then your all set.
An MDE does not allow design view or change of any forms, reports, or modules.
 
H

Howard

Great ... however, my Make MDE File option under database utilities is greyed
out. Why? I am using linked tables from another database. Does that make a
difference? I could change that. Please let me know. Thanks!
-Howard
 
R

Rick Brandt

Howard said:
Great ... however, my Make MDE File option under database utilities is greyed
out. Why? I am using linked tables from another database. Does that make a
difference? I could change that. Please let me know. Thanks!
-Howard

What version of Access? Access 2002 and 2003 still use the 2000 file format by
default but can only make an MDE in the 2002/2003 format so you might have to
convert it first. Otherwise open a code window and do a compile project from
the menu. You might have some compile errors and those will gray out the MDE
option.
 
H

Howard

Thanks Rick,
Fixed a small bug during the compile. Converted to 2002 db. Successfully
made and MDE file. Thanks a ton!
-Howard
 
J

Jesper F

What version of Access? Access 2002 and 2003 still use the 2000 file
format by
default but can only make an MDE in the 2002/2003 format so you might have to
convert it first.

I have a db where some users som run Access 2000 and some run Access 2002.
A 2002 MDE won't run on Access 2000 is that correct?
 
D

Douglas J. Steele

Jesper F said:
I have a db where some users som run Access 2000 and some run Access 2002.
A 2002 MDE won't run on Access 2000 is that correct?

That's correct.
 

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