Replies

Well one of the things that is great about boards like this is that you can learn something from almost ALL the replies, even if in the end it turns out they aren’t the solution to the exact problem that is occurring.

I had not thought of screen refresh problems. Thinking it over now, though, I think they are probably not the problem. But see if you agree:
Here is exactly what I have noticed happening.
I (or the secretary) go to a member’s record to update a phone or email address.
I update that field.
When I finish and the curser moves to the next field, suddenly data in that field that the cursor just landed in and sometimes several other fields also changes.
Once changed, the data seems to stay changed at least until I move to another record. USUALLY when I come back to the “changed” record, it has reverted to the correct information. But not always (hence the desire to solve this problem).

I have only seen this happen when updating phone or email addresses, but then it doesn’t happen often and those are the fields that we have reason to change the most frequently.
Also, I have only seen other phone/address/email data change. I have never noticed a member’s company (for example) or work location change. But – again – I don’t have a lot of instances to compare. Probably less than ten so far. I probably wouldn’t NOTICE if a member’s birth date, join date, or Social Security number changed, unless I was looking right at it when it happend (more reason for worry).

Any more clues in this info?
-cynthia

This is a bit like a car that makes a noise “sometimes”.
I can’t predictably reproduce the problem, either. And – as you may notice if you look at the dates on this thread – it was quite some time between when I restarted compacting and when we noticed that the problem was not gone. We use this database on a daily basis.

That said, the back of my mind is wondering whether my best bet might be to rebuild the database from scratch. I don’t know a LOT more about VBA than I did when I made this the first time, but I know a little bit more, and I also know a lot more about structure, forms, and reports – and it would avoid any problem that might have been created on the shift from 97 to 2000 – as long as I can figure out how to get the forms to do what I want them to without cutting and pasting code from this db (a trick I rely on heavily!). If I did that , would the data be “clean?” or could it contain the flukes right in it? And could I export the data without those mysterious columns that Access2000 added to the tables (i.e make queries and export those to either text or Exel, and from there into the new db)?

Of course, if we could find the problem here, I have no burning need to spend the time to make a whole new db!

Keeping my fingers crossed…..,
-cynthia

-cynthia

Well – it was quite a process to make something that meets the 100K maximum file size, but here it is.
None of the buttons on the form work, because I had to delete the related forms to get the file small enough.
But I think you can see what is supposed to be going on with this form.

The original database has a front end and backend. The frontend contains 26 tables, and the backend contains 48 queries, 40 forms, and 31 reports. It opens to a switchboard (which is just a form with buttons, not created by the switchboard wizard). But, aside from the switchboard, this form is the one we use most often – and it is also the only one where we notice the data changing.

Thanks for any clues on what might be scrambling the data!
-cynthia

Thanks.
Will do!

-cynthia

I charged my way into Regedit this evening. It didn’t work quite like we thought it would, but I think the problem is sort of solved. Here is what happened:

I went to Start>run – typed in regedit, hit “enter”.
I didn’t find the export thing you were talking about – regedit just popped up with an explorer-like window which included folders that were just exactly the ones you described that I should delete. I found “export” in the drop-down file menu. Just for giggles I exported the registry to the E drive (partition). Then I deleted those two folders and restarted the computer. It didn’t seem to make any difference. The folder view was still not sticky.

I ran regedit again and saw that the keys had not been recreated.

Then I tried asking it to change ALL the folder views (tools >folder options). After that, it stuck. I went back to regedit and the keys had been recreated like you said they would. But the D drive is now permanently changed to detail view. It still isn’t sticky if I want to change it. I DON’T want to change it – and since that is my preferred view for most folders and changed settings seem to be sticky in every other folder, this works. But that setting is apparently still not working as it should.

My problem seems to be adequately solved, nonetheless. And I’ve had my first adventure into regedit!
Thanks,
-cynthia

I’ll make one with benign data tomorrow and post it. I need to do that for another purpose, anyway.
-cynthia

Okay (gulp!). This was the first database I ever built – and this was the first form in that database. I learned Access building this database. So I’ll be really curious to see what people who know what they are doing might spot in here! Actually, already I see that the event
Private Sub HomeE_mail_DblClick(Cancel As Integer)
is not needed – it never did what I wanted it to and I abandoned it in favor of a separate hyperlink field.

Also – reading another post today, I realized that I did NOT yet put a separate front-end onto my own machine. So I will do that today (but it also does this to the secretary, who has both front and back-end on her machine).

Here’s the code:

Option Compare Database
Option Explicit

Private Sub AddRecord_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_AddRecord_Click

DoCmd.GoToRecord , , acNewRec
FirstName.SetFocus

Exit_AddRecord_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_AddRecord_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_AddRecord_Click

End Sub

Private Sub EditMailToHome_Click()

Me.AllowEdits = True
MailTo.SetFocus

End Sub

Private Sub EditMailToWork_Click()

Me.AllowEdits = True
MailToWork.SetFocus

End Sub

Private Sub EditRecord_Click()

Me.AllowEdits = True

End Sub

Private Sub FindRecord_DblClick(Cancel As Integer)

Me.AllowEdits = True
FindRecord.BackColor = -2147483643 ‘Change the background to match editable fields
FirstName.SetFocus

End Sub

Private Sub FindRecord_Exit(Cancel As Integer)

Me.AllowEdits = False
FindRecord.BackColor = 14869218 ‘turn the background to light gray

End Sub

Private Sub FindRecord_KeyDown(KeyCode As Integer, Shift As Integer)

Me.AllowEdits = True

End Sub

Private Sub Form_AfterUpdate()

Me.AllowEdits = False ‘Return the form to it’s read-only state’
MsgBox “Record Saved” ‘Message to reassure user that record has been saved’

End Sub

Private Sub Form_Current()

Me.AllowEdits = False ‘Return the form to it’s read-only state’
FindRecord = MemberID

End Sub

Private Sub Form_Open(Cancel As Integer)

FindRecord.SetFocus

End Sub
Private Sub HomeE_mail_DblClick(Cancel As Integer)

‘Open Outlook and put this email address in the “to” field

If Not IsNull(Me.[HomeE-mail]) Then
OpenOutlook (Me.[HomeE-mail])
End If

End Sub

Private Sub MailTo_AfterUpdate()
If [MailTo] = “” Then
[HomeE-mail] = Null
Else
[HomeE-mail] = Mid$([MailTo], 9, Len([MailTo]) – 9)
End If
End Sub

Private Sub MailToWork_AfterUpdate()
If [MailToWork] = “” Then
[WorkE-mail] = Null
Else
[WorkE-mail] = Mid$([MailToWork], 9, Len([MailToWork]) – 9)
End If
End Sub

Private Sub MemberID_Click()

MsgBox “Access generates this number automatically. It cannot be edited”

End Sub

Private Sub SaveRecord_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_SaveRecord_Click

DoCmd.DoMenuItem acFormBar, acRecordsMenu, acSaveRecord, , acMenuVer70

Exit_SaveRecord_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_SaveRecord_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_SaveRecord_Click

End Sub

Sub FindRecord_AfterUpdate()
‘ Find the record that matches the control.
Me.RecordsetClone.FindFirst “[MemberID] = ” & Me![FindRecord]
Me.Bookmark = Me.RecordsetClone.Bookmark
FirstName.SetFocus

End Sub

Private Sub ContactOptions_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_ContactOptions_Click
If IsNull(Me![MemberID]) Then
MsgBox “Enter member information or select a member before viewing contact options.”
Else
DoCmd.OpenForm “F_MembContDet”
End If

Exit_ContactOptions_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_ContactOptions_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_ContactOptions_Click

End Sub

Private Sub PrDir_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_PrDir_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

stDocName = “F_PrintDialog”
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria
[Forms]![F_PrintDialog].[RetClose].Visible = True
[Forms]![F_PrintDialog].[BackMember].Visible = True
[Forms]![F_PrintDialog].[RetMain].Visible = False

Exit_PrDir_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_PrDir_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_PrDir_Click

End Sub
Private Sub PrEnv_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_PrEnv_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

stDocName = “Envelope”

stLinkCriteria = “[MemberID]=” & Me![FindRecord]
DoCmd.OpenReport stDocName, acNormal

Exit_PrEnv_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_PrEnv_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_PrEnv_Click

End Sub
Private Sub ShowPositions_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_ShowPositions_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

If IsNull(Me![MemberID]) Then
MsgBox “Enter member information or select a member before viewing position information.”
Else
stDocName = “F_PositionDetails”

stLinkCriteria = “[MemberID]=” & Me![FindRecord]
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria
End If

Exit_ShowPositions_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_ShowPositions_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_ShowPositions_Click

End Sub
Private Sub ShowComm_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_ShowComm_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

If IsNull(Me![MemberID]) Then
MsgBox “Enter member information or select a member before viewing committee information.”
Else
stDocName = “F_CommDet”

stLinkCriteria = “[MemberID]=” & Me![FindRecord]
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria
End If

Exit_ShowComm_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_ShowComm_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_ShowComm_Click

End Sub
Private Sub Main_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_Main_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

DoCmd.Close
stDocName = “Switchboard”
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria

Exit_Main_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_Main_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_Main_Click

End Sub
Private Sub ShowPartic_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_ShowPartic_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

If IsNull(Me![MemberID]) Then
MsgBox “Enter member information or select a member before viewing participation information.”
Else
stDocName = “F_ParticDet”

stLinkCriteria = “[MemberID]=” & Me![FindRecord]
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria
End If

Exit_ShowPartic_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_ShowPartic_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_ShowPartic_Click

End Sub
Private Sub RetPartic_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_RetPartic_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

DoCmd.Close
stDocName = “F_Participation”
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria

Exit_RetPartic_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_RetPartic_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_RetPartic_Click

End Sub
Private Sub PrEnv2_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_PrEnv2_Click

Dim stDocName As String

stDocName = “EnvelopeRight”
DoCmd.OpenReport stDocName, acNormal

Exit_PrEnv2_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_PrEnv2_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_PrEnv2_Click

End Sub
Private Sub PrEnvXer_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_PrEnvXer_Click

Dim stDocName As String

stDocName = “EnvleopeXerox”
DoCmd.OpenReport stDocName, acNormal

Exit_PrEnvXer_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_PrEnvXer_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_PrEnvXer_Click

End Sub
Private Sub ShowMailing_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_ShowMailing_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

stDocName = “F_MailDetMemb”

stLinkCriteria = “[MemberID]=” & Me![FindRecord]
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria

Exit_ShowMailing_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_ShowMailing_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_ShowMailing_Click

End Sub
Private Sub AddWorkLoc_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_AddWorkLoc_Click

Dim stDocName As String
Dim stLinkCriteria As String

stDocName = “F_WorkLocations”
DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria

Exit_AddWorkLoc_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_AddWorkLoc_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_AddWorkLoc_Click

End Sub
Private Sub DelRec_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_DelRec_Click

Me.AllowEdits = True
DoCmd.DoMenuItem acFormBar, acEditMenu, 8, , acMenuVer70
DoCmd.DoMenuItem acFormBar, acEditMenu, 6, , acMenuVer70

Exit_DelRec_Click:
Exit Sub

Err_DelRec_Click:
MsgBox Err.Description
Resume Exit_DelRec_Click

End Sub

Well, compacting apparently didn’t fix the fluke. This morning I changed a member’s work phone number, and suddenly her address was Gardiner, Maine, instead of Derry, New Hampshire! It didn’t “stick”. When I closed the record and then reopened it, she was back in Derry, but something is definitely going wrong behind the scenes here.
-cynthia

Thanks!
I guess I asked this question at the perfect time. We are most likely going to wipe the system and reinstall it next weekend. So I can try your fix this week and if it turns out it IS dangerous, nothing lost! I have no data on this computer yet at all, other than things installed directly from disks. Fun to be able to play without worrying too much.

-cynthia

Hey Cowboy – your picture of “yourself” changed!
Anyway – thanks again for the instructions. I’ve successfully now moved both temp files and My Docs (for both users), and am getting a better feel for how the files are actually arranged on this system. Am mulling whether to reinstall so everything goes automatically, as you can see in my reply to Joe.
Thanks again,
-cynthia

Thanks!
I’m mulling whether to reinstall so all that stuff will migrate automatically. In the meantime, I have followed Cowboy’s instructions and moved the temp files folder, and your instructions to move the My Docs while I mull whether to start over (nothing important on this computer yet – am just enjoying really learning better how it works!).
-cynthia

Thank You!!!
I’ve been very timid about moving folders I don’t fully understand. This will be great.
-cynthia

Thanks to both of you for suggestions.

Yes – I was getting that idea about the second HD from the reading I did before posting. I’m liking that idea!

Joe – by “Documents and Settings” I assume that I meant any documents created by users (i.e. Word documents, Photoshop graphics, etc) and any settings I elected in a given program – but I was just quoting a recommendation from another post that had got my attention and I was curious about.

How do I arrange to have the temp files go to E:? (I’m assuming “temp files” means email attachments, and internet downloads that aren’t explicitly saved to disk – am I right here?).

If I install MS Office on C:, can I tell Outlook to store my email on E:? (It asks during install, but I’m ignorant about the implications of choosing something other than the default, so I hadn’t dared try it when I set it up on ME).

Thanks again. This is a fun adventure!
-cynthia

Thanks Joe,
That’s what I neede to know!
-cynthia

Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Thinking all this over, and given what I know about some peculiar behaviour this database exhibited early in its life, I now suspect that the infrequent compacting is probably root of the problem. Now that I know the info I had on that is wrong, I will put us back on a regular compacting schedule.

Also, the idea about the hidden fields to track changes seems very helpful. I need to make some fields like that for some other reasons anyway, so that will go on my list to do ASAP.

Given what I know about how this particular problem exhibits itself, I don’t think the bookmarking procedure is the problem, but the info on that will be helpful for the future – as will the info on the cordless mice (we don’t have any of those at the moment, but have in the past).

If I learn anything significant as I go forward, I’ll post again on this thread. But I’m hoping that with the compacting the problem will simply not reoccur!

Thanks again to all.
-cynthia