ms access rollout problem(make it non-transferable) 3

[brodie1227]

Is there anyway to make msaccess to where our customer cannot make a copy from their server to cd or other systems. Basically can you place a copy on a system that cannot ever be copied? Thanks in advance.

 

[MoLaker]

Probably the best way is to deliver the application with a dongle. Of course, you have to interface with it within the application.

Although I know nothing about this source, here's a link to a dongle supplier I found in a Google search -

http://www.smartdongle.com/

 

[brodie1227]

Molaker this is cool. Talked to earl about it(mw-inc), however we are looking for a different way(if one exists). Thank you for the suggestion, any others are greatly appreciated.

 

[LarryDeLaruelle]

Brodie:

I believe that you can set a value in the OS registery and then reference that value when the Access app starts.

If the value does not exist in the registery the app will not run and, of course, if someone copies your app and puts it on another system that registry entry will not be present.

I have never tried this since all my apps run in house but I understand that it is fairly easy to do if you understand the registry system.

HTH



Larry De Laruelle
ldelaruelle@familychildrenscenter.org

 

[MoLaker]

Regardless of how you might accomplish your goal, you should make your application a split database and not protect the back-end with your "magic". That way the customer can make legitimate backups of his data. Also, if you do it without using a dongle, you must consider how to handle reinstall situations such as a server failure or some other legitimate cause to have to reinstall the app. You will basically be marrying yourself to this customer and one of you might not like the marriage later on.

 

[brodie1227]

Larry this is the option I was hoping to get more info on. How do I get access to launch only by first checking a registry key of the computer, and where would this be placed in the db and how? Any help on this option is greatly appreciated as is all the posts thus far.

 

[gol4]

dont want to jump in as they seem to be doing a nice job of answering questions but I have a piece of code on how to use the registery that may be helpful to you

use getsetting and save setting
something like this

Dim StReged As String, intdays As Integer
StReged = GetSetting(Me.Name, "Properties", "regged")
If StReged = "" Then
SaveSetting Me.Name, "properties", "Regged", Date
Else
intdays = DateDiff("d", CDate(StReged), Date)
If intdays > 0 Then
MsgBox DateDiff("d", StReged, Date) & " days Before expiration"
Else
MsgBox "Application has Expired PAY ME NOW"
Application.Quit
End If
End If

the above is how you could check for an expiration date but should give you an idea. Good luck

 

[LarryDeLaruelle]

brodie:

Wish I could give you more details. This was something I have heard of being used but have never tried myself.

The post from gol4 give a sample of how to do it. I would think that putting the code in the On Load event of the first form would be the place. Simply check the registry location for the presence of the required entry. If its not there simply issue a quit command.

Setting that initial registry entry is way beyond me.

Larry De Laruelle
ldelaruelle@familychildrenscenter.org

 

[brodie1227]

Right on. I will try this. Any other sugestions are great as well. Everyone thus far gets a star. I am going to play(carefully) as I am ignorant with this procedure. Larry you have given me a start point. If anyone wants to detail the next steps or ideas, I would be grateful. Gol4 thank you as well. And ofcourse molaker has given me an option that will work with the dongle. It is cool, but will only use this as a last resort.

 

[LarryDeLaruelle]

brodie:

Word of caution when tinkering with the registry -- it's easy to foul things up and lock the system.

Get some expert advice on how and where to create the registry entry.

You might try posting the question on one of the Tek-Tips OS forums.

Good luck.

Larry De Laruelle
ldelaruelle@familychildrenscenter.org