Member Avatar for P.manidas

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have a small programe developed in VB 6.0 and database MS Access. Where user can insert their only name & address and can retrieve the existing records.

Just for test, I have kept this programe (.exe file and database file) in the share document of a computer and tried to run from another computer. It was running smoothly (I entered records and display that records too). I have not made setup file when i was tested. Just created .exe file.

I want to run this programe in home network that is connected with router. How can i run this programe after installing (I know how to make setup file in VB 6.0) into a computer? Please guide me.

#### There is no server in our Home Network. All computers OS is Windows XP Profesional S2

  • 2 Contributors
  • 8 Replies
  • 591 Views
  • 2 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by debasisdas

Dani AI

Generated

As suggested and confirmed through testing, a VB6 front-end working against an Access file over a home LAN is workable. The short checklist below fills important gaps that make that setup reliable and maintainable for everyday use.

  • Split the Access file into back-end (tables) and front-end (forms/code). Keep the back-end on the shared machine and deploy a copy of the front-end to each client. This reduces network traffic and greatly lowers the risk of corruption compared with running the EXE/ MDB directly from the share.
  • Use UNC paths (\Server\Share\MyDB.mdb) for linked tables and connection strings instead of mapped drives; mapped letters can differ per user and break links.
  • Make a proper installer that copies the front-end to the local program folder, registers any OCX/COM dependencies and ensures the VB6 runtime and the correct Access/Jet/ACE data drivers are present on each client.
  • Set both share and NTFS write permissions for users on the folder containing the back-end, and confirm Windows Firewall / file-sharing settings allow SMB traffic on the network. Avoid opening the back-end exclusively.
  • Schedule regular backups and run Compact & Repair periodically (or on shutdown/startup) to control MDB/ACCDB growth and reduce corruption risk. For more than a handful of concurrent writers, move to a client-server engine (SQL Server Express, MySQL, etc.).

Example connection strings you can use in VB6 (change provider if you use .accdb):

Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=\\Server\Share\MyDatabase.mdb;
Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=\\Server\Share\MyDatabase.accdb;

Troubleshooting quick hits: check UNC visibility and permissions if a client cannot open the DB; look for an .ldb/.laccdb lockfile to verify active users; if you see frequent corruption or slow performance under multi-user load, migrate the back-end to a proper server DB.

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for debasisdas

You need to store the database file in a network path and specify that path in your connection string code.

Member Avatar for P.manidas

Dear Debasisdas,

I have tested half(i.e changed the network path(another machine path) and placed the database into that path and accessing from my machine(without making setup file because in my machine VB 6.0 is installed)) of that and its working.

If i will installed the programe by setup file into no. 3rd machine. Will it worked? Because, i have not tested yet.

If the above query's answer is YES
and
If i will place the database into one machine keeping the path of database of that machine. Suppose i want to run the programe from no. 2, 3 or 4 machines. Is it necessary to installed the programe in every (no. 2, 3, 4) machines? or Is there another ways?

Please guide me sir.

Edited by P.manidas because: n/a
Member Avatar for debasisdas

1. Place the database in Machine 1.
2. Set the database path in the setup to the desired path (Machine 1).
3. Install the application in Mac 2, Mac 3,......

It will work every where.

commented: It has worked nicely +4
Member Avatar for P.manidas

Dear Debasisdas,

Ok sir, I will write to you after testing the whole process. But the 2nd no. is little bit confusing me.

Member Avatar for debasisdas

You need to set the network path instead of local path in the database connection string.

Member Avatar for P.manidas

Dear Debasisdas,

Ok sir, that thing i understand. Actually i thought there is an option in the process of making Setup file. Any way, I will write here soon after testing. Thank you sir.

Edited by P.manidas because: n/a
Member Avatar for P.manidas

Dear Debasisdas,

Sir, it has worked nicely. Its great. Thank you sir. I have tested on another two machine (i.e with 3 nos. machine)

Member Avatar for debasisdas

Happy Coding :)

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.