Cannot share an Access 2003 mdb file

[michalis]

I have created an access mdb file and saved it in a shared folder in a
server. I had configured the permissions so that many users could access the
data simultaniously from their desktops. A new administrator changed the
permissions and now only one user can access the database at a time. When a
second user tries, he receives a message that the file is already in use. I
can not find the right combination of permissions and i don't know if there
is another problem. Any suggestions.

 

[George Nicholson]

Have you split this application? It doesn't sound like it.

Multiple users sharing a single Access .mdb file is a *very* bad idea unless
you have split the application into FE (FrontEnd) and BE (BackEnd)
components. While Access does support multiple users, it also requires
splitting if you want to avoid data corruption (i.e., splitting = using
Access properly and as designed). Your New Administrator may have just done
you a *very* big favour by limiting usage to one person at a time.

A BE file would include all data tables and resides on a shared server. Each
user should have their own local (i.e., C drive) copy of the FE file, which
includes all Forms, Reports, Queries, code modules and linked tables that
reference the shared backend. Users open their individual FE file and are
then able to safely view, add, edit the data that resides in the shared BE.

HTH,