Switchboard Manager - Multi Users

[Jeanne]

I have set up a switchboard with multiple pages and several option on each
page. There are 3 users on the database and if any one of us has the either
of the first two options from the switchboard open it won't let the rest of
us use those buttons. The third button works fine for everybody all the
time. All the queries are written exactly the same, they just filter for
different things. The only difference in the forms that open is that the
first two have all the records locked so that no one can accidently type over
information while veiwing. Very frustrated at this point, any
suggestions/advice welcome.

Thanks...............J

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

All databases, but especially multi-user ones, should be split into a
front-end (containing the queries, forms, reports, macros and modules),
linked to a back-end (containing the tables and relations). Only the
back-end should be on the server: each user should have his/her own copy of
the front-end, ideallly on his/her hard drive. If that's not your case, try
it.

 

[Jeanne]

I do have the database split, both the sides are kept on the same server
drive so that we can all access it without having to save it out to our
desktops everyday. I will give this a try though to see if it has any effect.

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

As long as each user has his/her own copy of the front-end, keeping it on
the server can be okay (although not nearly as good as having it on the hard
drive, because it generates more network traffic) . However, if they're
sharing the same front-end, that's a recipe for disaster.

For a free utility to ensure the users always have the current front-end,
check what Tony Toews has at http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/autofe.htm

 

[Armen Stein]

As long as each user has his/her own copy of the front-end, keeping it on
the server can be okay (although not nearly as good as having it on the hard
drive, because it generates more network traffic) . However, if they're
sharing the same front-end, that's a recipe for disaster.

For a free utility to ensure the users always have the current front-end,
check what Tony Toews has at http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/autofe.htm

And if you're worried about relinking hassles, you're welcome to use
our free J Street Access Relinker at:
http://www.jstreettech.com/downloads

Armen Stein
Microsoft Access MVP
www.JStreetTech.com

 

[Jeanne]

OK, so how do I get a copy of this on each person's computer. I tried
zipping the file and email it to them, then extracting the files and we still
have the same problem of not being able to get into the forms at the same
time.

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

What do the 2 buttons in question do?

 

[Jeanne]

the buttons open forms that have different filters applied to them, one
allows us to filter by shop number the other one allows us to filter by year.
When I sent the front end to each computer I zipped and then extracted the
files, would that have made a difference, should I have just copied them to
the local desktop?

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

I sorry, I don't understand what difference you're making between sending
the front end to each computer and just copying them to the local desktop.

 

[Jeanne]

Is there a difference between "extracting" the files from the zipped file or
"copying" them over to each persons local drive?

 

[Armen Stein]

Is there a difference between "extracting" the files from the zipped file or
"copying" them over to each persons local drive?

No. The end result is the same file either way. The zip is just a
container for transporting the file more efficiently.

Armen Stein
Microsoft Access MVP
www.JStreetTech.com

 

[Jeanne]

OK, I have copied the front end of the database to each persons computer and
we are still getting the error message when trying to use forms from the
switchboard. What else can I check????

 

[Armen Stein]

OK, I have copied the front end of the database to each persons computer and
we are still getting the error message when trying to use forms from the
switchboard. What else can I check????

Well, we're back to the original problem, which I don't understand.
I'm afraid I don't know where to go with this one. Hopefully someone
else will have some ideas. If you don't hear anything in a few days,
I suggest you start a new post recapping everything you're seeing and
what you've tried.

Armen Stein
Microsoft Access MVP
www.JStreetTech.com