Currently locked record due to too many users (>4) on Access?

[MnTAPBob]

We get a Could not update; currently locked message when we try to add a new
record, though no users are accessing the record. Seems to add OK to our
main table - problem seems to be adding records to a linked table. Only
difference I can tell from previous use is that there are 5 users on the
database and I wonder if that has an effect on locking...using Access 2003 on
XP SP2 on a Win Server 2003 server network

 

[Steven Chicago,Illinois]

Dear "MnTAPBob",

If it seems to add ok to your main table, but not to the linked table, could
there be someone on the linked to database that has exclusive control over
that database or table? Is the other database a access database? If it is,
can you use windows explorer and see if there is a 1k file with the same name
as the linked to database? If yes, look inside it with notepad or something
to see whom is locking that database.

I have never updated to a linked to database, as of yet. So I wasn't sure
you could do that anyway, I was wondering if linking was a read-only
connection. So I look forward to seeing your solution.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[MnTAPBob]

All these tables are in one database file, so there is only one ldb. Things
started working again after a couple users closed the app. Again, making me
think 5 users makes Access go funky...another thing I can think of is that a
user made a new record on the linked table, but did not close the form -
thus, "locking" the table???

 

[Steven Chicago,Illinois]

"MnTAPBob"

You said all tables are in one database file, so there is only one
database. The tables then are not linked, but have relationships between each
other. My understanding may be wrong, but (in Access) linked means a table
that is outside of the current database.

The fact that you got things going again after closing the form of the user
that had left the form open, that was used to add a new record (or even just
edit/change/delete a record) (which means there probably was a lock on that
table by that form that was open), points to the reason why the message was
correct and I don't think the >4 users on Access was the problem. BUT you
could take the time to test your suggestion by having 5 or 6 users all sign
on to the database, don't have any of them get into any forms that lock
tables for updates (just have them all sign on/open the access database,
maybe just view a report). Also check and see if you are using record level
locking or exclusive or some other level of locking in the setup of each of
your users Access options(the access program on each of their machines).


Sounds like you may be close to having things under control and pretty close
to understanding what Access is doing concerning record locking,
am I safe to say that?

Steve