Access compact/backup on close utility

All Access users know that mdb files are constantly growing up in time.
To decrease the database size, one needs to compact the file on a regular basis, but
a database can be compacted ONLY if it is closed.
This can be a pain in a multi-user environment, where nobody knows for sure when a database
is going to be totally closed. Moreover, if the application uses one front-end and multiple
back-end databases, the problem is multiplied, because ALL databases need almost the same
amount of maintenance.

The Access Compactor does this job seamlessly. The utility is designed to compact the current
database as well as all linked mdb files either each time the front end application is closed
or at certain intervals.

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Installation:
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Extract the files dnacxx.mde and DnCompactAdminxx.mdb (xx represent the Access version and can 
be 97, 2k or xp) to a folder of your choice. The folder should reside on a drive mapped in such
a way that it is 'visible' from all computers that are going to run the application.

Automatic installation:

Import the form CompactAdmin from DnCompactAdmin.mdb file into your database.
Open the form CompactAdmin.
If you changed the name of the file dnacxx.mde, make sure to replace the contents of the text
box 'Library name here' with the new name of the file.
Click Install.
the program will search all your local and mapped drives for a file matching the contents of the
text box 'Library name here' (this may take a long time, depending on the number of files
searched. If there is only one file found, the program will be installed immediately. Otherwise
the list box 'Files found' will list all possible files. Select the appropriate file and click
Install once more, then Close.
When the form is next opened, the list box 'Files found' will display all linked Access databases
as well as the current database.


Manual Installation:

Open a module in your application.
Click Tools-References
Click 'Browse'
Files of Type: select 'MDE files'
Locate the file dnacxx.mde file
Click OK for the Open dialog.
Click OK for the references dialog
Close the module (no save necessary)

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Setting up preferences
======================

Main options (work mode)
------------------------
Check one of the three options

1. Compact and back up: will compact all databases and create back-up copies
2. Compact only: will compact databases but will not create back-up copies
3. Back up only: will not compact databases, but will create back-up copies

*******************************************************************************************
Note: The back up copies have the same names as your databases, but with the extension .acd
******************************************************************************************* 

Preferences
-----------
Back-up compacted: if checked, compacting will take place before backing-up; if clear, databases
will be first backed up and then compacted

Restart db: if checked, the database that launched the program will be restarted after the 
process has finished; if clear, Access will quit.

Interval (days): type the number of days after which you want the databases to be compacted.
Leave 0 if you want the process to run every time.

Backup location: by default, the back up copies are placed in the same folder as the working
files. To change that, click the 'Open Folder' button on the right side of the 'Backup location'
box and choose a folder of your choice.

All preferences will be saved and used until you change them.


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Usage
=====

In the procedure that you use to exit your application, replace Quit with AutoCompactAll
If you are not familiar with VBA coding, import the macro 'Compactdbs' from DnCompactAdminxx.mdb
and link the macro to the 'Exit' button in your application.
You can also use the CompactAdmin form to run the program, by clicking 'Compact Now' button.

Note: The databases in use will not be compacted. The compacting procedure will skip them.

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Uninstallation
==============

Open the form 'CompactAdmin' and click 'Uninstall'. All references set up by the program will
be deleted. You will have to close and delete the 'CompactAdmin' form manually.


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Price
=====

The program can be used for 30 days for evaluation purposes. If you decide to keep it, the cost
for registration is USD 29, payable in one of the following ways:

- Western Union money order (preferred as it is the fastest way)
- Bank transfer to the account 2511.2-1919.5/USD opened at BCR (Romanian Commercial Bank),
Slatina branch
- checque (it may take up to 6 weeks to reach the destination)

My postal address:

Daniel Vlas
9 Pacii Str, Bl. 9, Sc. B, Et. 3, Apt. 14
Slatina
0500 Olt
Romania


For any further information, feel free to email me at: dan@artrom.ro

Thank you for your interest

Enjoy!