BlueSeal Contact Manager - frequently asked questions

1. The operating system does not find any program, with which a file with the ending ‘mde’ can be opened. Where is the error?

Most probably you have not installed Microsoft Access - neither a full nor a runtime version. The best procedure would be to download a runtime version of Access and to install it.

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2. We should like to store the data on a data directory on a network drive. How can we ensure that the program still finds it?

Move the file bscmpe-be.mdb ('be' stands for backend) from the program directory c:\program files\BlueSeal\ContactManagerxx to the desired path, i.e. d:\data\contacts.

When you restart the address manager, you will receive the start form as usual. Click on to ADMINISTRATION | SELECT DATA FILE and indicate the path to the data file. In future, the data file will be found automatically.

By the way: you can rename the data file any way you like. Only the ending has to remain unchanged. We recommend not using blanks or special characters.

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3. I should like to take the data with me on by notebook.

The procedure is the same as in the paragraph before. Copy the data file to the notebook. Click on to ADMINISTRATION | SELECT DATA FILE and indicate the path to the data file. Note that, when you are in the local area network with your notebook - in case that you use it locally and in a network - you have to switch again to the file stored in the network.

Take into consideration that only one of the files may be edited. In case you are the only editor, you may of course carry out your editing on the notebook and then replace one file by the other.

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4. How many users may use the database simultaneously?

The maximum number of simultaneous access is determined by MS Access, independent of whether you have a full version or a runtime version. Concerning statements by Microsoft, the maximum number of simultaneous access is 255 which is in fact only theoretical. With so many users, the software will actually be perceptibly slower and more susceptible to malfunction.

In accordance with experience, it should be no problem if 20 or even up to 30 users open the database simultaneously.

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5. Our data are not stored on a Windows computer. Is that a problem?

The type of server on which the dat file is stored is not important. What is crucial is that the server volume is mapped as a Windows network volume. As this is generally the case, it is not relevant if the server operating system is Windows or for instance Linux (with Samba).

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6. Is it possible to access the data file with other programs?

Generally, it is no problem accessing the data file reading. But writing the data file with other programs should be avoided. Especially new records should only be added via BSCM. But also changing data in fields, which serve as index for other tables, for instance the company name, is definitely prohibited.

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7. Our data file (the backend) is suddenly much bigger than before although not many records have been added.

Databases do not become smaller when records are deleted even if they are not visible any more. They therefore have to be compressed from time to time. In the Access Runtime Version, this can be done using the following command:

msaccess.exe /Runtime datendatei.mdb /COMPACT

The command to repair the database is similar:

The two commands can also be combined:

Please observe the fact that in doing this it is essential that nobody accesses the backend which means that everybody has to leave the BSCM in order to execute such a command. In case you are accessing the backend in a read mode with other programs, you have to close them too. While this is not a problem in small networks, in bigger networks it is recommended to automise such a command and to execute it for instance by means of a batch-command with a timer.

We recommend making a backup of the backend before executing such a command. This backup may be deleted after successful execution of repair and compression.

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8. When I start the BSCM I get the following error message "unknown database format..."

Most probably you have an older Access version on your computer and Windows is trying to start the program with that version.

Click with the right mouse button on to the link to the BSCM, then click "properties". Click on to the tab "link" and change the target as follows:

c:\Program Files\msofficexp\Office10\msaccess.exe C:\Programme\BlueSeal\ContactManagerEE\bscmpe.mde

You are thereby defining explicitly which Access version shall open the program.

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9. I need more reports / forms / export possibilities etc.

The program is constantly being amplified. Amplifications which could be useful for all customers are generally implied in one of the next versions. These updates are then free of charge. Very specific amplifications, which are of interest only for certain customers, may be carried out within the scope of commissioned programming. We are glad to inform you which costs you should calculate for this. We should like to receive your proposals on amplifications etc.

Please use the e-mail address info@blueseal.de.

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10. Where can I obtain updates and how do I install them?

You may download updates on the website www.blueseal.de. Updates and the full version are the same so that they are installed in the same way. In case you have not already moved the file bscmpe-be.mdb or bscmee-be.mpb, you should definitely make a backup before installing the new version. In order to avoid overwriting or deletion of the data file, we recommend your making a backup before each update.

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11. We use Open Office in the whole network. Is that a disadvantage for us?

On the contrary. Open Office can read excel files directly so that, in case you export to Excel, you practically will not see any difference. Open Offce can even access MS Access directly via the ODBC driver. Both procedures can be used easily in order to make form letters or lists in the way you like it.

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12. Can contact data be imported from Mozillas Thunderbird or other applications?

This is possible through a detour through Outlook. You willfind an instruction here. This is, as a basic principle, possible with all programs, which can export data text files separated by commas.

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13. Can we use different language versions of the BSCM within the same network?

Yes!

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14. I use Access 2007 runtime. When I start BlueSeal Contact Manager, I get the "potential security risk" warning, which I should like to prevent. How do I do this?

a) Start the registry editor by clicking on Start->Run and enter 'regedit'.
b) Move to the following folder:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Access\Security\Trusted Locations\

c) Mark the folder 'Trusted Locations', click on it with the right mouse button and click New -> Key.
d) Here you can put in any name, e.g. 'BlueSeal' (without the quotes)
e) Mark the new key, click right and click New -> string value
f) Name the new character string 'Path' (without the quotes)
g) Mark the new key entry 'Path', click right and click on 'Modify'
h) Enter the path to the new trusted folger as follows:

C:\Program Files\BlueSeal\ContactManagerEE\

O.k. to save, close the registry editor and it should work.

After making sure that everything is working properly, you can export the key: in the registry editor click right-click => export. With a double click on the file created in this manner, you can copy the key to any other computer and user.

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15. When I click on the E-Mail button Windows won't open the E-Mail application.

Make sure your email client is set in Windows as the default mail program.

To do this click Start, and then click Set Program Access and Defaults.

Note You can also start this utility from Control Panel. To do this, open Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel, and then click Set Program Access and Defaults.
Select the default programs for the listed computer activities by selecting the appropriate options.

A howto by Microsoft: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327931

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16. When I click on the E-Mail button I receive the following message: The expression on click......The command or Action "SendObject" isn't available now.

Check the Mail section of the Win.ini file, it should look like this.

[Mail]
MAPI=1
CMC=1
CMCDLLNAME=mapi.dll
CMCDLLNAME32=mapi32.dll
MAPIX=1
MAPIXVER=1.0.0.1
OLEMessaging=1

But please: handle this file with care! If you are not sure, contact your administrator.

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© 2009 Manfred Schulenburg, BlueSeal database software [Imprint]