ACC: "File already in use" Error When Opening Database on Novell

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you try to open a database that is located on a Novell NetWare server, you may receive the following error message:

Couldn't use <filename>; file already in use.

CAUSE

If a user opens a database and doesn't have Create rights for the folder in which the database is located, the Microsoft Jet database engine can't create the locking information file (*.ldb) that is necessary for multiple users to open the database. Therefore, a user who doesn't have Create rights opens the database exclusively if a corresponding .ldb file does not already exist.

RESOLUTION

To prevent this behavior, make sure that all users who open the database have read, write, create, and delete rights for the folder in which the database is located.

MORE INFORMATION

In order to open a database in shared mode, the Microsoft Jet database engine must be able to create a locking information file (*.ldb) in the same folder as the database itself.

For more information about Microsoft Jet locking behavior, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q176670 ACC: Microsoft Jet Utilities Available on MSL

REFERENCES

For more information about .ldb files, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q136128 ACC: Introduction to .ldb Files (95, 97)

Keywords          : kberrmsg EvnNtw GnlMu 
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0,97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: April 15, 1999