Have Exclusive access to a secured shared database 1

[rexrivas]

As admin of a shared database i would like to make changes without getting the "You do not have exclusive access to the database at this time. If you proceed to make changes, you may not be able to save them later" message.

So far if i want to make changes i need to get arrive at work at about 5:00 AM or stay after 6:00 PM. The other option is ask all user to exit, but they will complain.

Is there a better way?

 

[batteam]

There is one other way. Have all users use a copy of the master db on their on personal PC. The tables would have to be linked (maybe they are already).

To have this process work, create a small program that everyone can get access to in a shared location. This program would let the user - each moring when they begin work - open the Access db, but what it really does is COPY a version of it from the master shared location to their own PC or to their own designated hard drive on the server. Then the program should open it for them to begin using.

This way, you can make changes to the master copy all day long as no one is using it - their using the copy of it on their own PC hard drive. Each morning, when they log on, they 'copy' a new version from the master to their PC drive or personal area on the shared server drive.

Small problem: when you do this, db's with linked tables take a minute or so to copy so there is a short delay for the user each morning to get going - minute or two, depending upon the size of any linked tables.

If you ever go to Access Projects, by the way, you will have to do this process as a Project cannot be edited by more than one user at a time - similar to an Excel spreadsheet. Hope this helps - good luck.

 

[rexrivas]

Wouldn't be simpler for me to change the file name, from access database.mdb to access database-rex.mdb. Everybody shortcut is pointed to access database.mdb , so that way whe nthey try to open the database the file is not found.

This would allow me to play in it exclusively until i am done doing my changes, after i am complete i rename the file back to its original name.

Would this work?

 

[batteam]

But don't you want your users to be able to use the db when they want and have it so you can play in it at the same time? If you rename it, sounds like your preventing them from opening the db (your words:"...the file is not found"), and I understood that is something you were trying to avoid. IF this is not the case, then yes, just rename it, but then they will probably get a system error message and could generate lots of calls to you.

 

[rexrivas]

I would send them a email advising that they would be "locked out", this would prevent an astrays in from logging in by mistake.