Microsoft offerings – and BizSpark content

Was looking for a Microsoft offer that could give OS’s and Servers to play with at home. Found a few interesting programs: 

• BizSpark. Comments from Netmedia
• WebsiteSpark
• Windows Azure Platform
• Partner (Action Pack)

OLEDB: Create connection string

A little trick to create a OLEDB connection string:

• On a Windows desktop (or any other folder) create a new text file.
• Rename the file to MyNewConnection.udl
• Double click the file which will open the guide Data Link Properties.
• Insert your connection data, test the connection and close the guide by pressing OK
• Open the file in your favorite text editor and view the connectionstring

Examples of generated connection strings:

•  Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;Password=MyPsw;Persist Security Info=True;User ID=MyUser;Initial Catalog=MyDb;Data Source=mydbserver\mydbinstance
• Provider=MSDASQL.1;Persist Security Info=False;MyUser ID=user1;Data Source=MyOdbcDsn;Initial Catalog=MyDB

Thanx to Rakesh Moturi

The End

HowTo: Import data to SQL from password protected MDB

SQL server Mgt Studio:

• Select DB – Right click DB – Tasks… – Import data…

=> SQL server Import Wizard opens

• Choose a datasource – Write name – Press Advanced…

=> Datalink Properties opens.

• Tab: “Connection”: Username: “” (Blank)
• Tab: “Connection”: Check “Blank Password”
• Tab: “All”: Jet OLEDB:Database Password: ******* (Enter password)
• Tab: “Connection”: Press “Test Connection”

HowTo: Link to a table in SQL server

From Access:

• Right-click “Tables” – “Link Tables…” – Scroll to file type “ODBC …” – Select desired DSN or create a new one – Select the desired tables – for each table select a column to be unique key
• Rename the linked tables: Remove the prefix dbo_

HowTo: Export tables from Access to SQL Srv

• In Access right-click the source table – “Export…” – “SaveAs” – choose “ODBC” in the bottom of the list – choose default table name – “OK”
• If DSN doesn’t exist create a new “Machine Data Source” (System) – choose driver “SQL server” in the bottom of the list – “Next” – “Finish” – Choose a name for the connection and choose a SQL server – “Next” – “Next” – Change default DB to the target one – “Next” – “Test Connecttion”
• “OK”

HowTo: Change linked mdb-table to another location

In Access:

• Tools -DB Utils – Linked table mgr:
  - Select mdb to relink
  - check “Allways…”
  - Browse to the new mdb file

HowTo: Open .mdb object form

On a password secured app: 

HowTo avoid to open a .mdb file with a limited startup menu and with the object form available:
- Hold down shift:

• when opening the .mdb file
• when pressing OK after entering psw