Read Only Issue

[Guest]

Hello, I have a database that sits on a server. It is randomly opening in a
Read Only state and provides a message when opening stating just that.
Obviously the users aren't able to add/update data when this happens. Any
idea how to make it stop?

Appreciatively yours,
~ Chris

 

[Guest]

1. All users of the database must have read, write, create, and delete
privileges to the network 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"

 

[Guest]

Thank you. Unfortunately, it's still having the issue. The database does not
appear to be open (no named .ldb file is present), but I cannon remove the
database either. When I try, I get a message stating that it is open on
another computer. I made a copy and placed it back on the server and the copy
works fine. This is the strangest thing I have come across.

I have instructed everyone to use the copy, but I still want to know what
the problem is. Any other thoughts? I am mostly asking out of curiosity.

 

[Pat Hartman \(MVP\)]

I'm going to make a guess - I think that when a user without create
permission in the directory that contains the database opens the .mdb,
Access sets the DOS file lock to prevent other users from opening the
database. Access needs to do this because the user doesn't have permission
to create the .ldb file which Access uses to control multi-user access to
the database. The DOS file lock is usually removed when the user closes the
database but it may be left if the user shuts down abnormally or looses his
network connection. Right-click on the database file name from a directory
and open the properties. I'm guessing the properties will indicate access
to the file is somehow restricted.

 

[i_takeuti]

Thank you. Unfortunately, it's still having the issue. The database does
not
appear to be open (no named .ldb file is present), but I cannon remove the
database either. When I try, I get a message stating that it is open on
another computer. I made a copy and placed it back on the server and the
copy
works fine. This is the strangest thing I have come across.

I have instructed everyone to use the copy, but I still want to know what
the problem is. Any other thoughts? I am mostly asking out of curiosity.