PRB: VSS Explorer Error: "This Is an Integration Only Project" (160888)

SYMPTOMS

Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

When you try to use the CheckOut, CheckIn, UndoCheckOut, or GetLatestVersion operations on a Microsoft Access 97 object in the Microsoft Visual SourceSafe 5.0 Explorer, you may receive the following error message:

This is an integration only project, getting files is not allowed from the SourceSafe Explorer.

RESOLUTION

In some cases, it may be necessary to perform operations on Microsoft Access objects from within the SourceSafe Explorer. In those cases, close SourceSafe Explorer, remove or remark the Disable_UI line in the Srcsafe.ini file, and then reopen SourceSafe Explorer. Then you will be able to perform the desired operation in SourceSafe Explorer. This is an example of the Disable_UI line as it might appear in Srcsafe.ini:

   [$/Northwind]
   Disable_UI = Yes

Note that when you reopen the Microsoft Access database, the Visual SourceSafe Integration Component (ACCSCC) adds the Disable_UI = Yes line back to the Srcsafe.ini file. Optionally, you can add the line back to the file yourself.

NOTE: This setting has no affect on a SourceSafe 4.0 Explorer.

MORE INFORMATION

The Visual SourceSafe Integration Component (ACCSCC) of Microsoft Access 97 adds a setting to the Srcsafe.ini file when you add a Microsoft Access database to the SourceSafe server database. This entry flags the files in the SourceSafe database as belonging to a Microsoft Access database integration project, and it looks similar to this:

   [$/Northwind]
   Disable_UI = Yes

This .ini file entry prevents you from using the SourceSafe 5.0 Explorer to check out the Microsoft Access database files. This is by design because the files are textual representations of Microsoft Access objects that you should only manipulate in the context of a Microsoft Access project.

In addition, if the .ini setting is missing, it is recreated every time the Microsoft Access database is reopened. If the ACCSCC cannot write to Srcsafe.ini to add the setting, it attempts to write to the SourceSafe user's Ss.ini file instead.