ACC97: "File already in use" Error Opening Linked Table on Read-Only Source After SR-2 Update Applied

ID: Q225351

The information in this article applies to:
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.


SYMPTOMS

When you run Microsoft Access Service Release 2 (SR-2) on Microsoft Windows NT, and you try to open a linked table that is in another Access database, you may receive the following error message:

Couldn't use '<filename>'; file already in use.
After you click OK, you receive the following error message:
Microsoft Access can't open the table in Datasheet view.


CAUSE

The database to which you are linking is on a read-only source.


RESOLUTION

To prevent this problem, you can do one of the following:


STATUS

This problem was corrected in Microsoft Jet 3.51 Service Pack 2.


MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about Microsoft Jet 3.51 Service Pack 2, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q172733 ACC97: Updated Version of Microsoft Jet 3.5 Available on MSL

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Make a copy of the sample database Northwind.mdb and place it on a share that is read-only or to which you at least do not have Write permission.


  2. Install Microsoft Access Service Release 2 (SR-2) on Windows NT 4.0.

    NOTE: This cannot be the same machine on which you have the read-only share.


  3. Start Microsoft Access and create a new database.


  4. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and click Link Tables. In the Link dialog box, under Files of type, make sure that Microsoft Access is selected. Locate the file that you created in step 1, and click Link.


  5. In the Link Tables dialog box, select any table and click OK. You see the new linked table in the Database window.


  6. Double-click the new linked table to open it.


Note that you receive the error message mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article.


REFERENCES

For more information about linking tables, search the Help Index for "Linked Tables," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.

For additional information about read-only databases and .ldb files, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q136128 ACC: Introduction to .LDB Files (95/97)

Additional query words: pra link attach attached 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbinterop kbdta IsmIea 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: April 19, 1999