MS Access Date Expiration lockdown function

Hello All,

I am getting ready to send out an MDE file to a customer for
evaluation. What I would like to do is put some code on the
switchboard load event that says something like.......

if date() > 05/31/2006 the quit the application.

Bottom line is I dont want people to be able to use the program after
may 31st. So any suggestions are welcome.

re: MS Access Date Expiration lockdown function

On 16 May 2006 20:48:11 -0700, "D" <wstandis@theseagulls.com> wrote:

Discussed here many times, so you should be able to google for it
pretty well. Bottom line: it may be better to restrict the number of
records in a significant table. If you insist on a date, you can
write your code in the switchboard's Form_Open event, and then call
DoCmd.Quit.

-Tom.


[color=blue]
>Hello All,
>
>I am getting ready to send out an MDE file to a customer for
>evaluation. What I would like to do is put some code on the
>switchboard load event that says something like.......
>
>if date() > 05/31/2006 the quit the application.
>
>Bottom line is I dont want people to be able to use the program after
>may 31st. So any suggestions are welcome.[/color]

re: MS Access Date Expiration lockdown function

i tried searching....... maybe you could point me in the right
direction?

re: MS Access Date Expiration lockdown function

Hi.
[color=blue]
> I am getting ready to send out an MDE file to a customer for
> evaluation. What I would like to do is put some code on the
> switchboard load event that says something like.......
>
> if date() > 05/31/2006 the quit the application.[/color]

The code could be something as simple as the following:

Private Sub Form_Open(Cancel As Integer)

On Error GoTo ErrHandler

If (Date > #5/31/2006#) Then
MsgBox "This demo has expired." & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
"Please contact us at www.TheSeagulls.com" & vbCrLf & _
"or at (505) 555-5000 for the latest version.", _
vbInformation + vbOKOnly, "Demo Expired!"
DoCmd.Quit
End If

Exit Sub

ErrHandler:

MsgBox "Error in Form_Open( ) in" & vbCrLf & _
Me.Name & " form." & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
"Error #" & Err.Number & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & Err.Description
Err.Clear

End Sub

The downside to this approach is that while it's easy to implement, it's
just as easy to bypass. The demo can be used forever just by resetting the
computer's system date to 31 May '06 before opening the application, or by
holding the <SHIFT> key down while opening the database so that the startup
form doesn't open or the AutoExec macro doesn't run. There are far more
clever ways to prevent software piracy than this approach.
[color=blue]
> Bottom line is I dont want people to be able to use the program after
> may 31st. So any suggestions are welcome.[/color]

I hate to dampen your enthusiasm, but someone had better tell you.
Compiling the database application into an MDE file protects only the VBA
code from prying eyes (and there are services available that, for a price,
can extract even the code). The tables, relationships, queries, forms,
reports, and macros can be either imported or extracted into a new MDB file.

So the only thing that you might have an opportunity to protect with this
MDE file is the VBA code, and frankly, the code you've asked for is very,
very simple code -- meaning that if you're asking for help on this, then are
you sure that there's any code in your database applicaton worth
protecting -- and annoying your potential customer enough to avoid your
short-term demos in favor of a more experienced Access developer's work?

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/ex...ributors2.html for contact
info.


"D" <wstandis@theseagulls.com> wrote in message
news:1147837691.226740.205560@i40g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello All,
>
> I am getting ready to send out an MDE file to a customer for
> evaluation. What I would like to do is put some code on the
> switchboard load event that says something like.......
>
> if date() > 05/31/2006 the quit the application.
>
> Bottom line is I dont want people to be able to use the program after
> may 31st. So any suggestions are welcome.
>[/color]

re: MS Access Date Expiration lockdown function

D wrote:[color=blue]
> i tried searching....... maybe you could point me in the right
> direction?
>[/color]
One of the big issues with time-based demos is with users modifying the PC clock to extend
or work-around the demo time limit.

Less of an issues now adays where organized installations manage the PC clock but a home
user can still set their clock.

You'd want to track the latest date that your software was used and ensure that the
current date of the PC is always within the number of days of that date that your demo
period allows.

And you'll need to store these values in a location that users won't easily find or you
could encrypt it the values to prevent tampering.

--
'---------------
'John Mishefske
'---------------

re: MS Access Date Expiration lockdown function

Awesome~!!!! Thanks Guys works like a charm.........

I don't need anything too complex........ I just need to keep honest
people honest. If microsoft cant stop piract I sure as heck wont be
able to. Where there is a will there is a way.