Why does Access lock out users?

[Al]

I have an access 2003 front end with sql 2000 back end. when one person opens
the front end no one else can. If any one tried to open the db while someone
is in, error message pops saying that database is locked by user 'Admin'.....
here are the settings:
1) Default open mode is set to "Shared" in the options>Advanced tab.
2) The Front end is on the network.
3) the network we are using is Novell and I have had some problems before
with Access locking on Novell but with more users than one. any idea?
thanks

 

[Jerry Whittle]

1. All users of the database must have at least read, write, and modify
privileges to the folder holding the database file. Not just the database
..mdb file, but the entire folder.

2. Open the database and go to Tools, Options, and Advanced Tab. Set the
Default Open mode to Shared and the Default Record Locking to Edited Record.
(While you are in the Options area, go over to the General tab and turn off
Compact on Close and Name AutoCorrect. Trust me on this.)

3. You can also get this error if someone has a form, report, etc., opened
in design view. Early versions of Access would allow someone to make design
changes while others are using the database; however, newer versions limit
this ability. It's another good reason to split the database so that you can
do development on a copy of the Front End and put it into production easily.
Sure beats working midnight shift when the users aren't around!

4. It’s possible that someone has manually opened the database exclusively.
In that case go to the folder holding the .mdb file and open up the same
named .ldb file in Notepad. You might be able to read which users are in the
database and locked it. Apply 2â€x4†as necessary to user. However that should
give a "file already in use" error. To stop this from happening create a
shortcut for each user on their desktop or off the Start button. It should
list the target as the database file and look something like:
"P:\Databases\Database File.mdb"

 

[Al]

Thank you Jerry,
I will look into the read write, and modify rights on the folder, however,
just FYI, as I mentioned in my post the Option>Advanced> default open mode is
set to "Shared". the name autocorrect and the compact on close is also turned
off. does Novell have any effect?

 

[John Spencer]

It sounds as if you have one copy of the front end that everyone is supposed
to share.

You should have one copy of the front end for each user, preferably
installed on their hard drive - although you could have the individual
copies on a file server.

--
John Spencer
Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007
Center for Health Program Development and Management
University of Maryland Baltimore County
..

 

[Jerry Whittle]

About a decade ago there was an issue with Access and Novell, but that was
fixed.

There could be a problem with permissions within the SQL Server database.