Creating a database from MiTrains

Microsoft Access might be able to open a .mdb extension. If you want to Email me a copy of the data base I'll try to open it in MS Access and if it works, send you back an Excell version.

Alan

An other program to try if Access doesn't do the job is Open Office. Open source software that can open and save many different formats. I use it as a replacement for Microsoft Office, its free.

Scotie

If you are referring to MITRAINS by Seahawk Software, appears they are having problems or no longer support their model train database.  Earlier today, I could not log on.  This evening I can log into my inventory, can view my inventory, but the system will not let me add a "new item" to my database.   Does anyone know the situation with MITRAINS inventory system??

1. try www.mitrains.com   It is their current web based inventory software. I just logged on to my account and successfully searched. 

2. They no longer support the PC based inventory software. (Local, resides on your HDD) I recently emailed Lou Galli at MI Trains in hopes they would release their PC version even though they will not support it. No luck.  

3. I am using the old version and really like it. Glad I kept my CDs containing the operating system and the databases. 

Forgot to mention I run it on my MAC using a Windows emulator w/o problems and on my 13 year old Compaq portable running XP. No problems. I did try to open the database in Open Office, no luck. 

I have been using MITRAINS.COM  web based software for my inventory for years and like it also  BUT   I can not add    New Items   to my inventory now.    Am I the only user having this problem.  As ToledoEd has stated, I also can search/print my current

inventory, but I tried to add some new acquisitions to my inventory unsuccessfully.   An error message comes up when I attempt to add.     I mostly use Apple computers, but also tried on my MS laptop with the same results.     ???????

What is the text of the error message. I've not had that problem. However, if after adding a new item I do get an error if I hit <Return>. so if you use the cursor to hit the save button, it works. 

I actually tried to register on Mitains.com over the past few days and keep getting an error message during the registration process, so there may be some issues with the site at this time

I cannot add a "New Item".   I have been using this web based inventory system for years with no problems until now.  To make an addition to my inventory, I type in the ROAD NAME column  New Item   and click      New Item shows up under PRICE GUIDE LISTINGS   from here is where the problem begins, when I click on the arrow to move this over to the MY INVENTORY(which allows one to enter the model #, MFR, date etc)  I get the following ERROR   "SERVER ERROR IN '/' APPLICATION       OPERATION MUST USE AN UPDATEABLE QUERY     followed by a page of scripts.       I have a rather large inventory in the MITRAINS   and   am hopeful this issue will be resolved and NOT that they are no longer supporting their web based inventory.     I have been very satisfied with placing my inventory on MITRAINS in the past.   I was concerned when I first used the system, that being FREE, how long would this "GOOD THING"  last.    Appears I may have to find another inventory system and re-key my very long list.

I use some programs that do not run on Windows 8 and/or require a back level of MS Access. I run them in a Windows XP VMWare guest on the Windows 8 machine.

Have attached the Error Response from MITrains, generated when trying to register an account.

In my earlier posts concerning not being able to add new items to my inventory, I am referring to adding new items not in the MITRAINS database, where you have to fill in all fields in the inventory list for a "new item".      Anyone else having this problem??

Appears the MITRAINS web based inventory software is no longer supported?   It's a shame, since it filled my inventory needs.

I am actually using the PC based MiTrains not the free web version.  So, I can still add items and print reports.

However, as stated in my opening post my concern it getting it to a database program so I can still use all of the data input that I spent a fair amount of time on.  This is in anticipation of my upgrading my machines to Windows 10.  Also, due to its program design it has trouble loading into the last three OS's from Microsoft, and I can only run it on one of my machines (a Win 7 OS.  My other Win 7 machines won't load the program disks).  Eventually, this machine will die so I need a way to preserve a digital copy of my collection.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this.  I didn't know that the web based version seems to be on its deathbed.

Alan

I tried opening Alan's data base with MS Access. Unfortunately it wouldn't open. Access didn't recognize the format even though ".mdb" is an MS Access suffix. 

What about using Libre?

If you like I could take a look at it. Zip the file and send it to me via email.

john.trains at gnomes.com

Just for the record MiTrains version 6.8.2 runs just fine on win10 64 bit. I haven't used it but I downloaded the program and installed it. It installed without an issue and it runs with the demo database. If I get time I'll try to look at the file format.

Ron

Has anyone had any luck getting new items added to the MiTrains web based database.  I have been getting an error message when trying to add "new item".  Has anyone been able to find a way to transfer the database into some other functioning program.  I do not want to have to start all over with 400+ items.  Thanks

I am having the same problem with Trainminder. The company went out of business. You can only get the program from their website. It's a shame that these company's come and go and leave their customers hanging and trying to figure out how the transfer hundred of trains to a new program.

Jim D.

Jon / Jim

I can try and extract the data for you to an excel or access file. It depends on the format of the source database and if it is encrypted or not.

I'm game if you want to take my MiTrains database and try to convert it into something that work.  Just let me know how to proceed.  Thanks

What I have found out so far: The MI Trains database is a pre-Access 2007 file.

I was able to open it using Access 2007 and allowing it to be converted to the newer file format. Access 2013 cannot open the original files.

That's very interesting. You are the first I'm aware of that was actually able to identify the software used. Thanks! 

Based on what was sent to me, there are 2 database files (This is for MI Trains not TrainMinder completed different beast).

mitrgd.mdb: This is the price guide

mitrin.mdb : This is the inventory file

I am interested if you can get a new Access front end for the software.  I too am afraid I will lose the ability to use this database once I upgrade to Windows 10.

I have been using the MI trains hosted software. It looks like MI trains is out of support. The site has not been updated since 2013 and the hosted software no longer allows you to add or edit records.

I can only run a PDF report so converting that to excel is going to be time consuming.