Exclusive Use Error

[Guest]

Using Access 2003 an error arises when attempting to open the db in exclusive
mode -- the error: "the db is already open by someone else" -- but there are
no other users -- I am the only one! Why is this happening? and, What are
the fixes? The .ldb file is being deleted, and then newly created each time
the database opens. I recently added a new user and that's when this
started. However, when I log on I am logged as "Admin" and I have full
permissions but still cannot save any changes. This is a nightmare as I need
to have this application out SOOOOON.

Thanks in Advance for ALL help.

 

[Joan Wild]

Is the mdw named the same as the mdb? Give the mdw a different name.

Also, the Admin user generally has no permissions to open anything (that user is common to all mdw files, so unless you want anyone to be able to use your mdb using any mdw file, you'll want no permissions on this user (or the Users Group).

 

[Guest]

Joan:

1) The .mdw IS named differently than the .mdb

2) I was under the impression the "Admin" user was the default master and
had access / permissions to all aspects of a database. What am I confused
about here?

3) What does "joining" workgroups do? I think I may ahve induced a problem
here when I did a "join" yesterday.

 

[Joan Wild]

Joan:

1) The .mdw IS named differently than the .mdb

2) I was under the impression the "Admin" user was the default master and
had access / permissions to all aspects of a database. What am I confused
about here?

You need to read some more about security. The Admin user and the Users Group is common to all workgroup files; the Admins Group is not.

Every session of Access uses a workgroup file. Out of the box it comes with system.mdw. Since the Users Group and the Admin user is common to all mdw files, this allows people to share unsecured mdb files. Everything is owned by 'Admin' and the Admins Group has permission to everything. When you secure a mdb, the first step is to create a *new* mdw file and remove all permissions from the Users Group and the Admin user.

You need to follow a step by step procedure to ensure you secure the mdb properly. When you are finished, you shouldn't be able to even open the mdb while using the standard system.mdw.

See www.jmwild.com/AccessSecurity.htm and also read Jack's security paper at
http://www.geocities.com/jacksonmacd/