There are several known technical issues with the database. We are trying to resolve these issues but there may not be a fix for all of them.
1) Database forms/reports will lose the VBA (Visual Basic) programming code
This issue is most often found in installations where the database is stored on a network drive that is named with an Alias (nickname). For example the network drive might be called J: but it is referred to as "Wardobe Inventory". Each time the computer needs to find something on the J: drive it has to "map" the Wardrobe Inventory drive to J:
If the drive mapping doesn't happen before the database is opened the database (that is looking for the "Wardrobe Inventory" drive ) will crash and lose the VBA code.
Solution:
1) The Theatre Inventory Database is split into two files - the Front End (with the forms and reports) and a Backend (tables only). The two files are linked. If the FrontEnd becomes corrupt it can easily be replaced. A backup copy of the database front end file is placed in a folder at the time the database is installed. The corrupt copy of the database just has to be replaced by the backup file. Please contact Costume Inventory Resources if you need help with this.
2) Contact your IT Staff to have them review the drive mappings and see if they can insure that the drives are mapped before the database is open. This may be the drive where the database files are stored and the drives with the photos.
2) Open Window Message: Version 5-7+ . If you have 8 or more windows / tabs open the program will give you a popup message telling you :
MS Access keeps track of the number of tabs you have open. If you get 12 or more windows/tabs open the database will get very slow or stop and give you a lot of odd messages (such as 'you have too many databases open'). Just close a few unneeded tabs and the database will keep running smoothly.
3) Version 5-9 - The forms have all been updated with a new font and button styles. The database has a new, fresher look and more consistency between modules. You may notice that the tab controls are different colors now. Occasionally the text on the tab is a little slow to refresh but give it a second or click on the Refresh Lookups button to repaint the screen.
4) Linked tables not found. If you have installed the Theatre Inventory Database in a folder other than the default: C:\Costume Inventory Resources\Theatre Inventory Database - the main front end of the database will not be able to find the database tables (back end). Please contact Costume Inventory Resources to get help to resolve this. It is very easy to fix but the solution will depend on your setup.
5) Warning message when opening database in Runtime version.
If you have only the MS Access Runtime software installed you may see this message. If you have a full version of MS Office you can make this message go away by modifying the Trust Center Settings. See the Appendix for more information. If you only have MS Access Runtime you may see this message. I am working on a solution but have not gotten it to work yet.
6) dbPix Installation messages: The dbPix program is used to manage the photos in the forms and reports. It is a wonderful program but recently has run into some issues with the installer program. You may see a message that says "New version is available" but the link doesn't work. Just ignore the "New version" message and continue with the installer. On later versions you may see a message about a "Twain.dll" file during the installation. Just click on the "Retry" button and it will go away and the installation will continue. Hopefully both of these issues will go away in the next version of the installation. The actual program, dbPix30 is quite sound and safe to use. If you or your IT staff have any concerns, please contact us.
