can't make design changes

[LAByerly]

I have an access 2003 database that is being used by a number of users at the
same time. I have design changes to make to the database. Even after all of
the users have exited from the data base, I get the following when I try to
save my desgin changes

"Microsoft access can’t save design changes or save to a new database object
because another use has the file open. To save your design changes or to
save to a new object, you mut have exclusive access to the file."

I have even tried shutting all of the systems down (including the server
where the database resides). After a restart, I get the same message.

Any help on this will be greatly appreciated.

 

[PatrickA]

In the folder where the MDB resides, do you see an LDB (lock) file
when you are certain no users have the DB open?

If so, I would suggest deleting it and trying again.

If not, as a last resort, if you get no better responses, try copying
the DB and editing the copy, or starting with a fresh, empty DB and
importing everything from the "open but not open" DB into it and
editing that.

(Someone here once told me Access more often rewards you more for
starting over than it does for attempting repairs.)

Patrick

 

[Damon Heron]

I am guessing, but there is a possibility that there is a wayward .ldb
(extension) file floating around on one of the pcs or server. These are
created when the db is opened, and sometimes an abnormal shutdown will leave
this file un-deleted. Search for it when all dbs are closed and delete it.

Damon

 

[LAByerly]

I didn't think to look on the workstations for an "ldb" file. I will have to
cchek them all.

Thanks for the info.

 

[John W. Vinson]

I didn't think to look on the workstations for an "ldb" file. I will have to
cchek them all.

An LDB file on Joe's computer will have no effect on a MDB file on Jane's
computer: it should only affect the instance that created it.

 

[LAByerly]

The database is on a dedicated server, but I only looked in the folder
containing the db. Could the ldb be somewhere else??

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

No, it's in the same folder as the mdb (or mde), or there isn't one.

 

[Pieter Wijnen]

at least in all versions after 1.1 (maybe even 2.0), I think you could place
it somewhere else at the time (novell thingy)

;-) pieter

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

Not to the best of my recollection. (If you think about it, it makes sense
that you couldn't to ensure that you didn't have multiple locking files)

--
Doug Steele, Microsoft Access MVP

(no private e-mails, please)


"Pieter Wijnen"

at least in all versions after 1.1 (maybe even 2.0), I think you could
place it somewhere else at the time (novell thingy)

;-) pieter

 

[LAByerly]

I looked everywhere for LDB files and the only one is in the folder with the
database.

Even after shutting down all of the workstations but one, I can not make my
desing changes.

I also tried changing the mode to exclusive and that didn't help either.

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

It's possible that someone terminated incorrectly, so that the locking file
still thinks they're connected.

You may need to have your Operations people reboot the server.

 

[LAByerly]

I was told that they tried that, buit I will have them try it again (and I
will verify myself that the shutdown has occured)

 

[John W. Vinson]

I was told that they tried that, buit I will have them try it again (and I
will verify myself that the shutdown has occured)

Reboot *and then delete the .ldb file before anybody opens Access*. It will be
recreated when Access is opened again, but if you don't delete it when you can
(e.g. after rebooting) you'll still be stuck.

 

[LAByerly]

John

I finally got back to this. Your advice worked like a charm. Thanks for
everyones help.

Linda