got Error 3045, sounds like a problem with workgroup file

[Frank]

We have an Access database Sch.mdb in a folder in the shared network
driver S. Each user of the database had been given the right to read,
write into that folder.

This morning one user reported that he was unable to open the database,
the error message was "Unable to lock file". I tried to open the
database in the shared driver S, and got the error message "Could not
use 'Admin'; file already in use" ( Error 3045).

Even it sounds like the error came from the lock file Sch.ldb, the
error should came from the workgroup file Sch.mdw. Here is my
observation:

1. At the moment when I got the call from the user I did not see the
lock file Sch.ldb in the S driver. It might indicate that no user was
using that database when error message appeared.

2. I tried to open a copy of the database in my local driver C. Still I
got the same error message "Could not use 'Admin'; file already
in use". Then I tried to use a workgroup file Sch.mdw in my local
driver C by rejoining the workgroup. After that I was able to open the
database in the shared S driver. In other words I can use the database
in the shared S driver and use my local workgroup file. A lock file
Sch.ldb was created in the shred S driver after I opened the database.
I tried once again to use the workgroup file Sch.mdw in the shared S
driver, I got the same error message.

That trouble happened once before. I do not know where the error comes
from, and how I can resolve that problem. I would be very grateful if
someone can help me.

 

[Joan Wild]

Assuming those really are the filenames, you should give the mdw a different
name than the mdb. They each need to create their own ldb file, and
obviously can't if they're both named the same.

Also you need to give users create and delete permission on the folder.

 

[Frank]

Joan

I checked user's privileges in the folder where the shared database
locates, and realized that we should give users the right to create and
to delete, in addtion to reading and writing, so the first user can
create the lock file ldb, and the last user can delete the lock file. I
did that after reading your message. (Usually I am the first and the
last user, perhaps it is the reason why the problem does not happen
often)

You said that I have to use different names for the database and for
the work group file. So you mean there will be two ldb files, one for
mdb and the other for mdw?

Thank you very much for your help!

Frank

 

[Joan Wild]

Joan

(Usually I am the first
and the last user, perhaps it is the reason why the problem does not
happen often)
Probably.

You said that I have to use different names for the database and for
the work group file. So you mean there will be two ldb files, one for
mdb and the other for mdw?

Yes.

 

[Frank]

Thank you once again. I will rename the workgroup file.