Installer Issues

[Ant_Snell]

I have an Access application that I need to distribute to around 35 users in different locations so I thought I would look at using an Installer. I have experimented with Install Forge witch works in the main but I have found 2 problems.

1. Ones installed using Install Forge the desktop shortcut opens the program however it has a warning “ READ-ONLY This database has been opened read-only. You can only change data in linked tables. To make design changes, save a copy of the database” The database is an ACCDE file with linked tables that I wouldn’t want the end user doing anyway, I just want to suppress the message to avoid confusion for the user. If I copy the .ACCDE file manually then create a shortcut to it, I don’t get this message.
2. The install puts an .ico file in C:\Program Files (x86)\SC\Sandpit\Sandpit ICON.ico that I want to use as the shortcut icon on the desktop. I have put that file address in the ‘Icon file:’ field of the installer but I only get a white block and a “Cannot find the icon” message.

Any help on how to solve either of the 2 issues appreciated.

[isladogs]

I've never used or even heard of Install Forge so cannot advise on its use.
However, there are several other installers that work well with Access files including Inno, SSE Setup and SamLogic Visual Installer Pro (my personal favourite)

[Ant_Snell]

Thanks Colin, I will give thees a try and see if I get on any better. I have not yet tryed it out but think I may have solved the Read only issue. By default anything in the Program Files folder is Read only so will need to put it somewere else. When I was doing it manualy it wasn't in Program files.

[Welshgasman]

Location also has to be Trusted?

[Ant_Snell]

Yes thank, I am going down the route of first time install needs to be done manually as a few things need to be set up including Trusted Location, VPN install & ODBC connections. The Installer is so that any future upgrades can be done by the user. Thanks

[isladogs]

I include code to automatically trust the location as part of the install script

This ensures the app is already trusted so the end user doesn’t need to click Enable Content on first opening it

[Ant_Snell]

Hi Collin,
That sounds like a good idea, how do you do that? In the VBA code of the actual Access app or as a batch file in the installer. Any help with the actual code used appreciated.

[isladogs]

Neither. The installer app I use includes a scripting feature which can do many things including adding registry keys used to set a location as trusted. It can also do much more such as detect the bitness of Office or install Access runtime if necessary.

So the first thing to check is whether your installer app includes a scripting language with that type of functionality.

[Ant_Snell]

OK, it sounds like your installer is much more powerfull that the one I am useing at the mo. I'll download and look at the ones you suggest.

[isladogs]

I use SamLogic Visual Installer Pro which can do all of that (and more) but it’s a commercial app.
Inno is free but entirely script based so possibly a bit harder to use.
SSE Setup is free for personal use but has no scripting

[Ant_Snell]

Thank for help and support, all working now! Wow

[Welshgasman]

Thank for help and support, all working now! Wow

Well do let us know what you went with in the end.
After all these forums are here to help others?