file in use problem

[Chris]

Hey everybody,

We have a network of about 7 computers. We have some of our Access files on
a NAS server. The Access file was made in Office '97. Most users have Office
97, I have Office XP. The server, UNIX just in case that matters, was up and
running fine. One of my fellow workers could not get into one of the Access
Databases. The error message said something like "could not open...database
in use" (don't quote me - but it was something like that). Now when I tried
to open it on my machine using Office XP (without converting it to an Access
XP file, of course) it opened fine. None of the Office 97 users could open
the file, Office XP users could. They (97 users) were able to open other
Access files, just not this particular one. So I "kicked" everyone of the
network and restarted the server. They were then able to view the database.
What gives? Can anyone help me? Can anyone convince my Boss to upgrade
everyone to Office XP (only kidding, we are shortly). Thanks for your time
and your help.

Chris

 

[GVaught]

It is possible that one of the 97 user's did not close out the database
properly and it put the db in a lock state. However, this would not explain
why you, an XP user were able to open the database if that lock was still
active.

If your database isn't split and the full database resides on the Unix
server and you opened the database first before the 97 user, it is possible
the lock that your machine placed against the database can't be read by
Access 97. In addition, if you opened the database first and then closed
the database but the lock was not released and a 97 user tried to open after
you closed they may receive the message you stated. However, when you opened
the db it opened for you as your machine placed the original lock on the
database.

If you haven't split the database, split it even if you are upgrading
everyone to XP. I would also suggest upgrading everyone to XP sooner than
later. You, as an XP user run the risk of corrupting the database for the 97
users.

 

[Bruce M. Thompson]

We have a network of about 7 computers. We have some of our Access files on

a NAS server. The Access file was made in Office '97. Most users have Office
97, I have Office XP. The server, UNIX just in case that matters, was up and
running fine. One of my fellow workers could not get into one of the Access
Databases. The error message said something like "could not open...database
in use" (don't quote me - but it was something like that). Now when I tried
to open it on my machine using Office XP (without converting it to an Access
XP file, of course) it opened fine. None of the Office 97 users could open
the file, Office XP users could. They (97 users) were able to open other
Access files, just not this particular one. So I "kicked" everyone of the
network and restarted the server. They were then able to view the database.
What gives? Can anyone help me? Can anyone convince my Boss to upgrade
everyone to Office XP (only kidding, we are shortly). Thanks for your time
and your help.

Just a thought. See the following MS Knowledge Base articles (in case of
relevance):

ACC: "File Already in Use" Error When Opening Database on Novell
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;183936

ACC97: Error Message When You Try to Start Access 97 in Terminal Server
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q301966