Can't Share MS Access on File Server NT 4.0

[CityLimit]

Conditions: Win98 workstations; Access 97 set for Shared access; NT 4.0 file server with NTFS permission set.

Problem: (2 users); Users cannot open Access in a shared environment unless all users have change (read/write) rights. If one user has read-only rights and the other change rights neither can open the mdb if the other has it open.

Solution: ???

Thanks, R-CityLimits

 

[lewatkin]

Both users need read/write to the folder the database is stored in. When opened, Access creates a .ldb file. if user one does not have write privilege, then user 1 can open the database, but no one else can. database is opened 'exclusively' and everyone else is locked out. hope this helps.

Lee

 

[CityLimit]

Thanks Lee. I assume then that the only way to provide read-only access to one of the users is to give them both read/write rights on the NT 4.0 file server and then use Access' security to keep the read-only user from making changes to the database. Is that how you see it?

Thanks, R-Citylimit

 

[lewatkin]

Yes, that is correct. You have to control user actions within the database with Access security. The underlying problem however is this. That does not prevent the 'read-only' user from deleting the entire database file if they choose to. Just thought I would point that out. If the data in the database is that sensitive, it may be that you look at other options - SQL Server, Oracle etc. I know how you feel and have been down that road. We remained in Access, ensuring nightly backups and we have not had any trouble as of yet. Good Luck!

Lee

 

[Dogers]

alternatively, you could create a basic web interface for it