Data Source Configuration Wizard and Access 2007

[Kenbuddy]

Hi. I'm working on an app in Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition that connects to an Access 2007 database (accdb file). I found the right connection string and am able to connect to the accdb file no problem. However, now I would like to use the Data Source Configuration Wizard to generate a typed dataset for me based on some tables in my accdb file. Unfortunately, the wizard only supports .mdf and .mdb files. If I try to connect to the accdb file, it fails.

As a workaround, I tried connecting to another .mdf file, then changing the connection string in my settings for the project. Then I tried to run the wizard again selecting the modified connection string, but it wouldn't let me.

So why won't the wizard connect to the accdb file? Is this a limitation of Express Edition? Do I need to shell out another $500 to Microsoft, or is there a workaround for this?

Thanks.

[si_the_geek]

I would assume that (as with similar previous issues I've seen) this is due to the timing of the products, rather than the edition you are using.

Your VB version is from 2005, but the Access file format is two years newer - so presumably was unknown at the time of VB's release, and therefore not catered for in the tools.

Presumably a Service Pack (or other update) will add the ability to work with that file type from the tools. Whether this update already exists or not (or this assumption is even correct!), I have no idea!

[Kenbuddy]

Bummer. Well, in the mean time, I converted the .accdb file to a .mdb file, which took some tweaking because I was using a few fields with the new Attachment data type. I'll run the wizard on the converted .mdb file to create the typed dataset, then I'll continue to use the proper connection string to access the .accdb data. I don't know how I'll handle the Attachment fields, though. From what I can tell, an Attachment field seems to be three fields in one. I'll cross that bridge when I get there. As always, I just learn as I go...

[Kenbuddy]

OK, well, I have reached the bridge and cannot cross. Has anyone else worked with the new Attachment data type in Access 2007, or am I an early pioneer? If anyone has any information on how to use this data type with VB2005/ADO.NET, that would be appreciated. I guess I probably have to wait until Microsoft releases the new Access 2007 Developer Extensions, which are due out this month, but I'm not even sure if those extensions include enhancements for ADO.NET (and the Data Source Configuration Wizard).

[akai0402]

I am trying to use Access 2007 also with VS 2005. I am not quite as savvy on the accdb thing. I have just used the .mdb extension and created my typed datasets as sub data sets of the main one. I am running into a lot of problems with Access 2007 though so I decided to change my db over to a MS Sql server because I didnt want to risk losing info by saving it down to 2003...hopefully that will help out. Good luck with your quandry!

[Kenbuddy]

What kind of problems are you having? I'm not having any problems with it other than with the attachment fields. I actually just made the switch FROM SQL Server Express because this is just a small application, and after much wishy-washiness and going back and forth, I decided that SQL Server Express was just way too much overhead and baggage for something that may just be holding 10,000 - 20,000 records at most.

[akai0402]

Well for starters, I have been using MS Access for a while and when my company converted to 2007 I found that I could not see forms or reports in anything but design mode...It really didn't matter that much anyway because we were planning going to a seperate interface like vb or something similar. The problem that it would be for me is that we are going to need the overhead and size capacity of a large db so Access would only be an intermediary. I decided that I would just export the DB to SQL but I am not experienced with SQL so now I have to learn that.

[Kenbuddy]

I'm happy to report that VS2008 adds support for Access 2007 in the Data Source Configuration Wizard. However, I'm still Googling around trying to figure out how to implement the Attachment data type in a VB2008 application. If anyone has any helpful tidbits, that would be appreciated. I'll be sure to post whatever I find out...