forms locking database

[Jonathan Adams]

Recently found these forums and was wondering if maybe I could find an
answer to a problem that has plagued me a long time in Access that has
reappeared in 2007.

We share a databases and when a database is open and has a form open it
locks the database from being opened by anyone else. This is a little
different then the partial lock where you can open the database but you
can't edit certain objects. This issue is that you can't open the database
at all - says its locked. This only happens if someone else has opened the
database and is currently working in a form. IF they close the form then
someone else can open the database.

Its extremely annoying as some of the forms are menus or heavily used data
entry forms. I have tried splitting the databases so there would be one
just for the tables and another for forms and reports and such - and that
didn't resolve the problem. I have spent many hours searching the MS
knowledge base and websites without any solution.

It just doesn't make sense to me why this would occur. I can understand a
partial lock - but completely locking a database out just because a form is
open? Anyhow if anyone has any solutions would be very much obliged.

Jonathan Adams
GIT 3 UNH Graduate Office

 

[Jeanette Cunningham]

Hi Jonathan,
not sure what you mean?
If someone has the front end open in design view and someone else tries to
open the same front end, they won't be able to. Is this what you are asking?

Jeanette Cunningham

 

[Jonathan Adams]

Hi - If someone has an access database open and they are working in a form
(say doing data entry in the form - so you are actually using the form - not
designing it) if someone tries to open the same database they will not be
able to - they get a message that the database has been locked by user X.
You can not even open the database at all. As soon as the person who is
using the form closes it - then the database can be opened by other users.

I have repeated this process many times and can duplicate the problem at
will. Its very inconvient and would love to find a way to fix it.
Jonathan

 

[Jeanette Cunningham]

Johathan,
it is strongly recommended by Microsoft and many developers that each person
has their copy of the front end - otherwise sooner or later you will get
corruption.
You might know already that it is possible to open the database with
exclusive access, which denies access to any other users, have you checked
if it opens in this mode or not?
Otherwise I have seen 2 people able to open the same front end and enter
data as long as forms are not being opened in design view. Perhaps there is
code that opens a form in design view for some reason? If none of these
help, I don't know what else to suggest, apart from checking the user
permissions
on the folder where the database is stored. Users need to have read/write
access to the shared files and they need
read/write access to the entire folder.

Jeanette Cunningham

 

[Jonathan Adams]

Hi - Ah I guess I am not explaining myself very well. Each user does have
their own copy of the front end. I know its a reconized problem as I have
found the issue in the microsoft knowledge base - however there hasn't been
a viable solution yet - the most common solution provided wasn't very
practical nor very secure.

Anyhow I do appreciate your time in responding to my post and your
suggestions,
Thanks - Jonathan