cant access scriptmaker

[toshog]

hi there...

managed to covert a (seriously) large amount of files from server 5.5 to server 10. however there are a few issues. like, in between other things, some of the buttons of the interfaces are no longer responding when clicked. so to edit the scripts i would need access to the scriptmaker but it's grayed out. these files were created probably 10 years ago and the company i work for has since then separated from the "mother" which had an IT department the size of a small african village. none of those people work there since that company itself merged into something else bigger to become a ginormous blob thing...

explaining all this to note that there is no documentation or "an IT/FileMaker Manger" to reach to to ask for a password or another magic word to unlock the scriptmaker (also the Manage option under the File menu is disabled).

so basically asking for advice on how to get access to these menu options - mainly ScriptMaker and Manage - to fix the problems caused by the conversion to the newer engine and in general to update some of the functionality and look of the files...

thanks...

[IdealData]

Did you have access to the scripts before conversion?

[toshog]

never worked on those files before. the answer will be no, i did not have any access to the files. but after 9 - 10 years somebody should. i thought about redoing the whole thing in the fm7 engine but is way too complicated to start tracing it. it's going to take months...

Edited April 13, 2010 by Guest

[IdealData]

Sounds like you don't have master level access - call FileMaker to get the password revealed. It will cost and it's not fast.

[Lee Smith]

Try using Admin as the Password on start up.

[toshog]

i just called filemaker. they said that "because a lot of government agencies use our software it has to be very secure and we do not have a way to recover master passwords". that's the most awesome bs i've heard in a while. and i don't even use windows. the guy on the phone basically told me to go find a filemaker cracker to open the files myself...

never been a huge fan of that company anyway...

[toshog]

thanks Lee... tried that also. without success...

off to look for some software that will brute force it...

thanks...

[bcooney]

It's Filemaker's fault that you have a system to which you do not have the master design password? Please.

How could they possibly determine that you have the rights to the password?

[Lee Smith]

FileMaker used to provide a service for obtaining a password, if ownership of the file could be proved.

if these files were made in .fp5 format or older, you can buy a Password Cracking software on the internet.

Lee

[color:red]p.s. If you want to know who's fault this is, look at the person who developed the files in the first place and didn't provide management the Admin password, or if they did, blame the company for not being able to find it now.

BTW, you should thank FileMaker for providing a secure environment for your valuable data and solution.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Guest
p.s.

[toshog]

hi bcooney... obviously you are deeply imbedded in the filemaker corporation somehow and it makes sense to you defending them.

just to be polite though i'd just answer you question like this:

no, it's not filemaker's fault that i don't have the master password. the real problem is not that however. i'm not faulting anybody. i was looking for a solution from the company that produces the software. i have not known a software in my adult live that does not have a way to recover a critical password particularly in a situation of a company that claims is in business to "secure the data of a lot of government institutions". situations like mine are probably not uncommon. the fact that they do not offer the service to "help" you in a situation like that is a big huge minus for me if i had a business relying on their software exclusively. because it renders the actual product unusable in cases like mine. a product my company paid them to use. what else does filemaker co. not do?

now... as lee correctly points out, or suggests rather, filemaker should (must) be able to help in a similar situation after verifying your identity and the correct ownership of the product. i'm not sure i'm in a possession of that kind of information either but nobody asked me to prove anything. the guy on the phone basically said "you are screwed and go figure it yourself".

btw a 30 sec search on google pointed to a site for recovering filemaker passwords software and in less than that time (after running around to find a windows machine) i was able to get the user (same as password after conversion of the files) using the 'trial' version of that software. so much for the security of all those "government institutions"...

good look with your future certifications. and thanks for the opportunity to write this little rant...

Edited April 13, 2010 by Guest

[comment]

the guy on the phone basically said "you are screwed and go figure it yourself".

This is not really a Filemaker issue, but... if it were for me to decide, I'd tell you the same thing. Otherwise I'd be exposing myself to a potential law suit on behalf of the REAL owner of the solution.

[toshog]

potential law suit on behalf of the REAL owner of the solution.

not sure if i'm following... who is the "REAL owner of the solution"?!

[comment]

That's exactly my point: I don't know, and I cannot know for sure. Filemaker, Inc. is not a court of law.

[toshog]

That's exactly my point: I don't know, and I cannot know for sure. Filemaker, Inc. is not a court of law.

amen to that. that's why i said "filemaker should (must) be able to help in a similar situation after verifying your identity and the correct ownership of the product". like everybody else.

[bruceR]

FileMaker should declare that their security system is hackable? Right. Other systems have this? Doubtful.

[comment]

I am afraid you are still missing my point. You are asking me to break down a door. Perhaps you have lost your key, and perhaps you were evicted by the landlord. I am not qualified to make that call - and I am certainly not going to assume the responsibility for making it. I don't know what "everybody else" does.

[toshog]

FileMaker should declare that their security system is hackable? Right.

as opposite to what?! telling me that is "very secure"?! are we all adults here?! is there a system that is not hackable?!

i believe you all have heard of that company in redmond, wa called microsoft, right? well here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321305

but then of course we all know that their "system" is hackable. is that the point you are making here, brucer?

[toshog]

I am afraid you are still missing my point. You are asking me to break down a door. Perhaps you have lost your key, and perhaps you were evicted by the landlord. I am not qualified to make that call - and I am certainly not going to assume the responsibility for making it. I don't know what "everybody else" does.

actually i can argue your point here. i'm not asking you to break down a door - i'm asking you for a copy of my key. if you sold me the key and have somewhere on file that the key is mine and it opens my door - because you have that on file too, in filemaker - you are not only qualified but you should be obligated to give me a copy of the key - landlord or no landlord. you are not providing a service to my landlord. the contract is between you and me. and it was signed when i gave you a ton of money for that key.

it's very simple - like apple asks you your serial number, the bank clerk asks you your account number, your cellphone company asks you about your account, address, blood pressure, social security number, etc.

how is that different? imagine if you call the bank and you tell them your card was stolen and they tell you 'sorry, go find it. we can't know for sure you are the owner. we might get sued by the REAL owner'. and stuff like that...

[comment]

There is a HUGE difference: I did not issue your key, and the key is not to MY property. If you have lost the serial number to the Filemaker Pro application, I'll be happy to provide you with another one (subject to the restrictions you have mentioned). But I have nowhere "on file" who developed your solution and who owns the rights to it.

[bruceR]

Did you actually READ that link? Requires either you already have a reset disk; or you have a valid admin password.

"These steps only work if you have previously created a password reset disk for the computer, or if you can log on as an administrator to assign a new password to your account."

[Real]

Good point !