Latest SQL Server 2005 Fixes

FIX: Error message when you try to insert data on a subscriber of a merge replication in SQL Server 2005: "Msg 548, Level 16, State 2, Line 1. The insert failed"

FIX: The size of a database keeps increasing when you perform many DELETE operations and many INSERT operations on the database in SQL Server 2005

Security Update for SQL Server 2000 SP4 and MSDE 2000

Microsoft today issued a security hotfix for SQL Server 2000 and the Access MSDE engine:

Version:	8.00.2050
Date Published:	7/29/2008
Language:	English
Download Size:	10.3 MB - 29.6 MB*

Ezy Dashboard Builder BETA Now Available




The free BETA of Ezy Dashboard Builder for Access 2002/2003/2007 is now available for download. You don't need a switchboard in your existing application to build a Dashboard using the Builder.

Coming soon... Ezy Dashboard Builder
from aadconsulting.com

I will soon be launching a cool new add-in for Access, that will in a few minutes transform your Access application switchboard from this:



to this:



using an easy to use 1, 2, 3 wizard:







A free BETA will be available shortly. Watch this space

Create Custom Menus and Shortcut Menus in Access 2007

An updated article on the AddMenu Macro Action and the new topic Create Custom Menus and Shortcut Menus using Macros in Access 2007 are now available on Office Online.

These techniques are the only way in Access 2007 to create custom menus and shortcut menus. The custom menus appear in the Add-Ins tab on the Access Ribbon, and can be assigned as right-click pop-up menus for a form or report by assigning the custom menu to the object's Shortcut Menu property.

Build Related Tables with the Access 2007 Lookup Wizard

Mary Ann Richardson of TechRepublic.Net has posted an interesting article on using the Access 2007 Lookup Wizard to create a related table.

Access To VB6 Wizard

I have today trialled Access to Visual Basic 6 Converter from Microtools.us, and have found it the best such tool I have seen. The product seamlessly converts all forms in an Access database, and optionally the code behind forms and the required recordsets, to build a complete VB6 database project, which then requires only minimal tweaking. The VB data forms include the VB6 data control and data operation buttons:



Other Access conversion products include:

• Access to ASP .NET Visual Basic Converter
• Access to Visual Basic .NET Windows applications Converter
• Access to ASP .NET Visual C# Converter
• Access to Crystal Reports 8/8.5/9/10/11/11.5 Converter
• Access Form Controls to Visual VB .NET/ASP Converter
• Access Form Controls to Visual VC# .NET/ASP Converter

Using Access and Excel Together

The MS portal, Office Online, has posted a substantial article on using Access and Excel together to manage data solutions: Top 10 reasons to use Access with Excel. This is the introduction to the article:

When using the Office family of products, should you use Excel or should you use Access to manage your tabular data? A companion article, Using Access or Excel to manage your data, recently discussed the benefits of each product and what they "bring to the table". But why choose between one or another? If you store your data in Access and connect to it from Excel, you gain the benefits of both. Here are ten reasons why a marriage between Excel and Access makes lots of sense. Excel users, don't be afraid to let go of your data. Think of it this way. You're not losing an Excel daughter; you're gaining an Access son-in-law.

Access 2007 Run-time Deployment Issues

Today, the Access Team Blog features an interview with the MS program manager for the Access 2007 Runtime, covering deployment issues that arise where there are multiple versions of retail Access installed.

Microsoft to Offer Cheap Hosted Exchange Services

Microsoft has announced it will provide a new low-end Exchange Server service, Deskless Worker Suite, for US$3 per user per month. A complete Microsoft-hosted Business Productivity Online Suite — Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online (for instant-messaging), and Office Live Meeting - will cost US$15 per user per month. There will also be an option allowing users to subscribe to individual Microsoft-hosted services.

Security Fix for SQL Server and MSDE Released

Microsoft today released
Security Bulletin MS08-040 – Important Vulnerabilities in Microsoft SQL Server Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (941203):

This security update resolves four privately disclosed vulnerabilities. The more serious of the vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to run code and to take complete control of an affected system. An authenticated attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full administrative rights.

This security update is rated Important for supported releases of SQL Server 7.0, SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 2005, Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) 1.0, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000), Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (WMSDE), and Windows Internal Database (WYukon). For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.

The security update addresses the vulnerabilities by modifying the way that SQL Server manages page reuse, allocating more memory for the convert function, validating on-disk files before loading them, and validating insert statements. For more information about the vulnerabilities, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) subsection for the specific vulnerability entry under the next section, Vulnerability Information.

Recommendation. Microsoft recommends that customers apply the update at the earliest opportunity.

Access Security Alert: Snapshot Control

Microsoft has today posted Security Advisory 955179, which contains information regarding active targeted attacks using a vulnerability in the Snapshot Viewer Active-X control in Access 2000, Access 2002 and Access 2003.

Currently only manual workarounds are included in the Advisory. Although these workarounds help block known attack vectors, the underlying vulnerability is not corrected.

MS says attacks appear to be targeted and not widespread.