Creating an Access Splash Screen via Bitmap File 1

[marcus101]

Guys:

Just wanted to check to see if anyone has tried to successfully use a .BMP bitmap file to create a customized splash screen, effectively replacing the Microsoft Access one that starts up.

I'm using version 2000, and I've created a simple file that is a MS Bitmap (.BMP extension), measuring 357x221 pixels.

I used this measurement after using a capture utility to measure the pixel size of the MS Word splash screen.

I've read that all you need to do is save the file you want to use as a replacement splash screen as a Bitmap image in the same directory as your database, so long as it has the same filename as your database file.

Well, something does happen when I do this, but I get an error, "A system error occurred, or there isn't enough free memory to start Access. Close one or more programs and try again."

When I remove the .BMP file from the directory, Access starts up fine and my database works as normal, albeit without MY screen (grin).

I have LOTS of RAM memory on my computer so RAM is very likely NOT the issue.

So obviously something is probably wrong with my .BMP graphic file in some way. I created it using Photoshop Elements and then saved it as a simple 16-bit MS Windows Bitmap.

It's not fancy or anything, just colored text on white background.

Do I need to save the BMP in a certain way? (Settings for Bitmap are wrong?) or is my graphic pixel size too large for what I need to do?

Suggestions, pointers to threads that may have already answered this question welcome.

I tried to do a search on the entire Tek-Tips site for this, and there are answers buried here, but there is no thread pointer to the result, just to the forums where the result is - could take forever trying to read all of the answers(!)

Thanks in advance for any ideas on this.

marcus
marcus101
Access/SQL/XML Developer
Ottawa, Canada

 

[DonQuichote]

I tried the same trick with Access 97, and all works fine. Maybe it is the bitmap settings. Can you try saving the bitmap with Paint or with less colours?

Best regards

 

[perrymans]

First, Try a different .bmp. Search your hard drive for one and test with that one. If it works, it's your .bmp. If it does not, it's your system.

Second, reboot your computer, and start Access as the very first thing you do. If it starts, it is your resources, if it does not, it may still be resources if you have lots of background items running (in system tray).

Keep in mind that this feature is practically lost in a faster system, since Access starts so fast, the splash screen can not be seen.

There should be no differences in .bmp types. Try bringing your image into MS Paint, and save it from there. I imagine Photoshop does provide alot of extras and features, that should be stripped off by Paint after re-saving.

Sean.

 

[marcus101]

perrymans:

That did the trick. Imported the bitmap file into Paint, resaved, started Access - presto, worked like a charm.

Thanks.

marcus101
Access/SQL/XML Developer
Ottawa, Canada