Perform backup and repair and compact operations on Microsoft Access MDB files for Microsoft Access version 2000 and 2002(XP) or newer. The repair and compact process creates a backup copy and compacts the database file back to itself. Can be scheduled and runs unattended. Works on databases that are password protected or secured with a workgroup file using Access security. Is safe for use on replicated databases. Supports encryption/decryption. Display any connected users computer and login names that have databases open. Maintains an “event viewer” style log of all activity and can generate a log report.

Installs on Windows 98, NT, 2000, and XP versions. MDBCompact can be installed on a PC without Microsoft Access already installed. Manage as many databases you want from any PC that you can specify a valid network or drive path to those databases.

About Compacting Databases

As you change data in a database, the database file can become fragmented and use more disk space than is necessary. Periodically, you need to compact your database to defragment the database file. The compacted database is usually smaller and often runs faster. Also, the compact process will repair any inconsistencies and help fix or prevent corruption of the database file.

You must close the database file before you compact it. In a multi-user environment, other users can’t have the database file open while you’re compacting it. If the database file isn’t closed or isn’t available for exclusive use, the process will not complete.

Because MDBCompact creates a copy of the database, you must have enough disk space for both the original and the duplicate databases. The compact operation fails if there isn’t enough disk space available.

The compact process maintains all the data, security permission settings, and version from the original database. MDBCompact only works on Access 2000 and 2002(XP) version or newer databases.

About Using JetComp

JetComp is a free utility from Microsoft. We do include the files as a courtesy to our customers and will offer advise about its use. You can run JetComp from the tools menu. We DO NOT support the product.

JetComp uses a method to compact and repair a database that does not actually open the database file. Therefore it does not check or care about any current users and the data they may be editing. JetComp cannot compact a database to itself. You must specify a new file name to compact to each time it is used. JetComp can only run on one database file at a time and must be done so manually. However, JetComp can in some situations recover a damaged database file that other methods cannot. We recommend using JetComp as a last resort to recovering a corrupt database file and not for normal maintenance.

Features

Feature	Description
Manage Applications	Stores an unlimited number of database applications to run the repair and compact on. Saves a name you provide, the path and file locations, database password or login credentials. Works for replicated databases. Allows you to encrypt or decrypt databases during compacting.
Backup	Perform a backup on one or all applications entered. A copy of the original database MDB file is made as a BAK file in the same folder.
Compact	Perform a repair and compact on one or all applications entered. A backup is created first, then the database is compacted back to the original file name. If an error occurs at anytime, the original is always restored.
Current Users	View a list of users currently using any of the database files anytime. See the computer name and login that is active. This is helpful since backup and compact operations cannot complete if there are current users.
Activity Log	Displays an “event viewer” style list with details form. Log entries are made for the backup and compact completion or failure, errors and possible causes, and current users causing failures. You can delete log entries or clear the entire log at once.
Log report	Generate a report preview from the activity log. The report can be printed or exported to HTML or text formats and saved.
Unattended scheduling	Perform the backup and compact operations at a scheduled time. Use the Windows Task Scheduler to run MDBCompact with the “/a” switch in the command line. This gives total scheduling flexibility and the log captures all activity while it runs.

Installation

Run the Setup.exe file from the installation CD or files location. For installations on Windows NT, 2000, or XP, run as the Administrator or while logged on with Administrative privileges. Follow the instructions in the setup program. To start MDBCompact, go to Start, Programs, MDBCompact, and click on MDBCompact. The sample database “Northwind.mdb” is included and was installed to the same folder as the program. You may use this database to evaluate MDBCompact’s features. To setup unattended scheduling, see the “Unattended Scheduling” section.

Note: The PC may not have the latest Windows Installer software on it. The setup program will detect and install this, which will require a reboot. Windows 95/98 installations may receive a message during setup that the latest Data Access Components are not installed. MDBCompact setup will exit and cannot be completed until this is corrected. Do so by running MDAC_TYP.EXE located in the Support folder in the installation CD or files location. This will require a reboot and then MDBCompact setup can be run again and will finish normally.

Pricing, License, Updates

The pricing is US$95.00 per license. A license permits one installation on one computer and only within that organization. Updates will be provided free of charge to licensed users as they become available. Installations allow an evaluation period of 10 uses. Each time the program is run, unattended or not, will count towards the evaluation period. Registration is required to activate the program and continue use. Each installation generates a random registration code. Register on the web at www.techinvestgroup.com or email the registration code to support@techinvestgroup.com and receive the activation code.

NOTICE: This software is to be used strictly in accordance with the license agreement. It cannot be redistributed, copied, modified or resold. You may install one copy of the program on one computer and make a copy of the setup disks for a backup only. Under no circumstance shall Technology Investments Group be liable for damages resulting from the uses of this program. See the software license agreement for details.

Support

Email and Phone support available for licensed users. Free for evaluation period. Per incident charges may apply afterwards.

Email: support@techinvestgroup.com

Phone: 717-577-9600

Web site: www.techinvestgroup.com

Visit our support page at:

http://www.techinvestgroup.com/support.htm

System Requirements

PC with a Pentium or higher processor

Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 or later, Windows 2000, Windows XP

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or newer

32 MB of RAM

Available hard-disk space for Typical installation: 60 MB

CD-ROM drive if installing from CD media

VGA or higher resolution monitor; Super VGA recommended operating at 800x600 or greater

Mouse or compatible pointing device

Additional items or services required to use certain features:

28,800 or higher baud modem for internet downloads

Internet functionality requires Internet access and payment of a separate fee to a service provider.

Screen Shots

Main Applications form

Log Viewer Form

Log Detail Form

Log Report

Current Users List Form

Manage Applications

Stores an unlimited number of database applications to run the repair and compact on. Saves a name you provide, the path and file locations, database password or login credentials.

Add Applications:

After installation, run the MDBCompact program. If no applications have been entered yet, the record status will show “1 of 1”and is ready to enter the first record.

Entering the new record: Enter the application name of your choice. Enter the Application Path to the database file or user the Browse button to have it entered for you. Specify a valid local machined path(C:\folder\mydata.mdb) network path (\\server\sharefolder\mydata.mdb) or mapped drive letter path(X:\mydata.mdb) to those databases. The Application Name and Application Path fields are required. Enter a database password if required. If the database file has been secured using Microsoft Access, then enter the Workgroup File Path or use the Browse button to have it entered for you. Also, enter the User Name and Password that has necessary permissions to compact the database file. Note: Login users must be members of the Admins group to perform compact operations.

Check the Encrypt Database setting to cause the database to be encrypted during the compact process. An encrypted database compacted without the setting enabled will be decrypted.

To add more application records, click on Add and enter the new record.

Edit Applications:

Use the record selection buttons to navigate to the application you want to edit. Make any changes and click Save. Changes are also saved when moving to another record.

Delete Applications:

Use the record selection buttons to navigate to the application you want to delete. Click the Delete button.

Backup Applications

Perform a backup on one or all applications entered. A copy of the original database MDB file is made as a BAK file in the same folder. This backup method is only for the purpose of ensuring an original copy exists in the event of a failure during the compact process. It is not adequate protection from other problems and should not be the only available backup of database files. You should always have a reliable backup plan in place in event of disaster or a database file becomes corrupt and cannot be recovered.

To backup one application:

Use the record selection buttons to navigate to the application you want to backup. Click the Backup button. You will receive a message indicating the results and the appropriate log entries are made. If errors occur, the reasons are added to the log entry.

To backup all applications:

On the menu bar, select Tools then Backup All. You will receive a message indicating the results and the appropriate log entries are made. If errors occur, the reasons are added to the log entry.

To restore a backup:

Rename the backup file to the original. Example, if the original is NWIND.MDB then a backup is created as NWIND.BAK in the same folder. You should first rename or move the original MDB file then rename NWIND.BAK to NWIND.MDB.

Compact Applications

Perform a compact on one or all applications entered. A backup is created first, then the database is compacted back to the original file name. If an error occurs at anytime, the original is always restored.

You must close the database file before you compact it. In a multi-user environment, other users can't have the database file open while you're compacting it. If the database file isn't closed or isn't available for exclusive use, the process will not complete. To check for current users, on the menu bar, select Tools then Current Users.

The compact process maintains all the data, security permission settings, and version from the original database. MDBCompact only works on Access 2000 and 2002(XP) version or newer databases.

To compact one application:

Use the record selection buttons to navigate to the application you want to compact. Click the Compact button. You will receive a message indicating the results and the appropriate log entries are made. If errors occur, the reasons are added to the log entry.

To compact all applications:

On the menu bar, select Tools then Compact All. You will receive a message indicating the results and the appropriate log entries are made. If errors occur, the reasons are added to the log entry.

Current Users

View a list of users currently using any of the database files anytime. To view the Current Users, on the menu bar, select Tools then Current Users. See the computer name and login that is active. This is helpful since backup and compact operations cannot complete if there are current users. Running the check always logs your PC with the applications login settings, on to each database. Therefore, there will be at least one user in the list for each database. Ignore the ones in the list that are coming from your machine.

Activity Log

Displays an “event viewer” style list with details form. Log entries are made for the backup and compact completion or failure, errors and possible causes, and current users causing failures. You can delete log entries or clear the entire log at once.

To see details of the entries, select the entry record and click Details button or double-click on the entry. While on the details form you can scroll through the log records.

You can manage the log records. Click Clear Log to delete all log entries. Click Delete to remove the current log record. Enter a value to limit the log records. As new entries are added the oldest are removed.

Log Report

Generate a report preview from the activity log. The report can be printed or exported to HTML or text formats and saved. To run the report, open the log from the applications form. To view the Log, on the menu bar, select Log. Then on the Log form menu bar select Report.

Unattended Scheduling

Perform the backup and compact operations on all the entered applications at a scheduled time. Use the Windows Task Scheduler to run MDBCompact with the “/a” switch in the command line. This gives total scheduling flexibility and the log captures all activity while it runs. When the scheduler runs MDBCompact, the backup and compact operations are performed on all of the entered applications according to their settings.

To setup: Run the Windows Task Scheduler for your operating system. Run the Add Scheduled Task wizard and follow the instructions. After the task is created, open the properties form. On the Run Command line, append “/a” to the end of the line. A default installation would look like “c:\Program Files\MDBCompact\MDBCompact.exe” /a (include the space between the exe and the /a). Your command line may be abbreviated our may not have quotation marks. Either way the added /a does not need quotations around it.

Set the scheduling options to suite your needs. Run the MDBCompact program and open the Log to check if it has run at the scheduled times and the results.