I have an Access runtime app in a shared folder on our network. Right now it's only being shared by 2 persons. However, only one can access it at a time. Whenever one has it open and the other tries to enter it brings up an error message - Could not lock file.

I read something online about giving each user write privileges to the folder. I right clicked on the folder, selected went to Sharing & Security, clicked Permissions. Under Group or User Names I selected the group that says everyone and under "Allow" ticked Full Control". But still getting the error.

Check out Sharing an Access Database

Thanks for the link but it doesn't seem to answer my question. The database is already split....I'm only tryign to access the back-end and still get the error message.

Just to confirm, then, each user has a copy of the FE on his/her local drive?

One person is acting as the "server" of sorts. ON her machine I have the shared folder which contains the back-end and her copy of the front end. On the other computer I have only a front end which points to the backend data on the first girl's machine.

But what I was trying was to open the back-end in the shared folder to view the data in the tables.

Do YOU have "Full Control" permissions on the BE folder? ... Is there a possibility that the file is open and there has been design changes on it PRIOR to you attempting to open the file.? ... What is the Default Open Mode for the BE file?

I think I have Full Control....how would I know if I don't??? Not sure of the deafulat open mode either. How wouldI know??? Sorry, first time tryign to network a database.

When the other girl is not in it and I open the file a message comes up saying it is read Only. Does thathelp?

>> When the other girl is not in it and I open the file a message comes up saying it is read Only. Does thathelp? <<

It does help ... but I can't say that its a definiative "Yes .. thats it!!" ... But .. The case for the presumption that you do not have the proper permissions on the folder the BE resides in just got REALLY STRONG!! ... Meaning ... you need to verify your permission level in the BE folder ...

In Windows XP
-------------------
- Do a right click on the folder ... choose properties
- Look of your network name or a group you belong to in the "Security" tab, if you find it, then select it.
- One you have it selected, look at the permissions that are checked.

What are the permissions you see? (ie: the ones checked)

When I select Properties it only has General Tab with TYpe, Target and Created info.
But when I select properties on the access file though I get a Security tab. It has Administrators ([Computer Name]\Administrators), SYSTEM and Users ([COmputer Name\USers)
The Administrator and System groups have full control ticked but the Users group doesn't.

So should I go to her computer and set the Full COntrol option then???

You can actually set permissions for a shared resource on any machine, as long as the logged in user has rights to set those permissions!! .... it can feel like a visious circle!!! ...

You have a couple of options ... but first, WHO (the Windows user ID) created the folder where the BE file is? Also, do you have and "IT" type person on staff that administers permissions?

The windows user ID was the other girl who has the back-end.

Our IT staff resides in another country.

we have a main office network and server, but the IT staff is VERY partial about persons puting anything on the server. So that's why i'm letting the girl (call her Val) be the "dummy" server.

.. Ahhh ... that is an all too common story!! ... well if Val created the shared folder, then it is likely that she can Add you to the permissions for the share ... does Val have the same issues you do when opening the BE file?

Everything runs smoothly on Val's computer. How does she add me to the the Permissions??? I was exploring some stuff and went to Permissions then clicked the fist button at the to p (don't remember what it said...was somethign that asked to search by users or something.) Could that be it??

You have been very patient and helpful so far. Thank you and I hope you can bear with me some more............

>> Thank you and I hope you can bear with me some more .<<

No problemo!! ...

Ok ... setting permissions is a little tricky in the sense that I/we need to know HOW your network checks for users? ...

....

If you don't know, then just to a right click on the folder that contains the Back End (with Val logged), then choose the "Security" tab ...

Once in that tab, click the Add button (if you can), then in the box that comes up, type out Stasi's network id ...

Then click on "Check Names" .. if you name is "Resolved" it will convert to text that looks like a link ...

Assuming that went well ... click on OK .. you will then see Stasi in the list of users ... now just select Stasi in that list, and put a check box by "Full Control" .

Then click Apply and OK ...

Now Check the properties again to make sure your changes stuck ... if they did, Stasi should now have all the access needed for the file ... Stasi may need to log off/on again ...

Hello:

I tried that today. I didn't get the chance to check on my computer to see if I can access the data files, but all the steps you mentioned worked. Thank you so much

I'm out of the office for the next 2 weeks but I believe that when I get back that things should be running good.

THANKS A MILL'......

You're welcome!! ... Please post back if issues come about ... (PM me if I don't respond)

Hi:

I haven't been having any issues with the network I set up but just thought that I should write back to let you know. You were a really big help and I learned much in trying to get everything working. Now, I have to add 2 more persons to the network but that should be a cinch now.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

You are most welcome Stasi! ... ...