ACC: Change Option Affects Only One Instance of MS Access

• Microsoft Access 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

Two instances of Microsoft Access are joined to the same System.mdw in Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97 (or System.mda in versions 1.x and 2.0), but the options for both do not always appear to be the same after being changed in one instance. However, the option window shows them both as being changed.

CAUSE

When there are two instances of Microsoft Access running on the same computer, only the routines in the instance where the preferences are changed are called. The other instance does not have its memory copies updated.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Many options are stored in memory so that they do not have to be read from the preferences table every time they are accessed. The mechanism by which the memory and disk copies are kept in synchronization is the array of routines that is called whenever a preference is changed.

When there are two instances of Microsoft Access running, only the routines in the instance changing preferences are called. The other instance does not have its memory copies updated, but the options window shows them as being changed.

In order to make the preference take effect in another instance on the same system, the user either needs to shutdown and reopen this instance, or change the preference and resave it.

This is not an issue for users on separate systems because their preferences are stored per user.

REFERENCES

For more information about "System.mdw", search the Help Index for "workgroup information file," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.