Multiusers 1

[BT24]

Hello

hi i have a database that has to be used by about 6 different computers on a network. what i did was i split it and placed it on the server for everyone to get. now when they open the database and i am on it or someone else is on it, it will not open and if i update the fields it is not updating the back end. if someone could please tell me what i am doing wrong that would be great. i am using access 97 if that helps
BT24

 

[dannyocean]

I would add users level security. This allows Access to know how many users are in the db. It also will fix any write errors that may occur.

Here is the instructions to implement security.

I recommend setting up ueser level security. This will allow you to give right to specific items in your db. Here are the basics of setting up security. User level security also helps to aviod write errors your users may have.

1. Set up a mdw file for your db. Use the help instructions in Access for a Workgroup file.

2. After you create the new mdw make sure to rejoin the system.mdw file for your copy of access.

3. Create a shortcut in the target line you will need to fix the sytax. Here is a copyu of one of mine.
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE" V:\Puball\UM\Discharg.mdb/wrkgrp V:\Puball\Um\Discharg.mdw

V is the network drive. DOn't go lower than two folder levels. I had trouble and that was an issue.

The shortcut launches access then your db and the associated workgroup.

Once you get the shortcut working. Go into tools, security, user and group accounts. Add you users. Then distribute the shortcut. Make sure to have a working copy of the shortcut on the network so you can retrive it for distribution.

This will allow all users global access to the db, but will fix your Write errors.

Let me know if you have further questions.

HTH
Danny

 

[nberryman]

First Check Tools, Database Utilities, Linked Table Manager and ensure that your front end is looking at the right back end

Second, Tools, Options, Advanced and ensure that the database is shared.

Neil Berryman
IT Trainer
neil_berryman@btopenworld.com

 

[BT24]

Neil
when i go to the linked table manager all it says is that i have no linked tables.
Thanks for your help

Danny
i dont know how to set up a mdw file, i have access 97 i dont know if that makes a difference or not. thanks for your help though

BT24

 

[dannyocean]

Here is the instructions from help for stting up a mdw or workgroup file.

1 Exit Microsoft Access.
2 To start the Workgroup Administrator, do one of the following, depending on which operating system you are using:

· If you are using Windows 95, use My Computer or Windows Explorer to open the System subfolder in the Windows folder, and then double-click Wrkgadm.exe.
· If you are using Windows NT Workstation 4.0, use My Computer or Windows Explorer to open the System32 subfolder in the WinNT folder, and then double-click Wrkgadm.exe.
· If you are using Windows NT Workstation 3.51, open Program Manager, and then double-click the Workgroup Administrator icon in the program group where you installed Microsoft Access.

3 In the Workgroup Administrator dialog box, click Create, and then type your name and organization.
4 In the Workgroup Owner Information dialog box, type any combination of up to 20 numbers and letters, and then click OK.

Caution Be sure to write down your exact name, organization, and workgroup ID, including whether letters are uppercase or lowercase (for all three entries), and keep them in a secure place. If you have to re-create the workgroup information file, you must supply exactly the same name, organization, and workgroup ID. If you forget or lose these entries, you can't recover them and might lose access to your databases.

5 Type a new name for the new workgroup information file, and then click OK. (By default, the workgroup information file is saved in the folder where you installed Microsoft Access. To save in a different location, type a new path or click Browse to specify the new path.)

The new workgroup information file is used the next time you start Microsoft Access. Any user and group accounts or passwords you create are saved in the new workgroup information file. To have others join the workgroup defined by your new workgroup information file, copy it to a shared folder (if you didn't already save it in a shared folder in step 4), and then have each user run the Workgroup Administrator to join the new workgroup information file.

 

[BT24]

Thanks for the info...where do i put the shortcut? i think that it goes in the information file box? thanks for the help i know that i am hard to work with

BT24

 

[dannyocean]

You create the shortcut in your network folder where the db lives. Then you copy the shortcut to your users desktops. That is how they access the db.

One other thing. Make sure that after you create the new mdw. You rejoin the system mdw or you will have to log in anytime you open access.

 

[BT24]

what i have is this F:\TW_WATER_WASTEWATER\WORKS\W00 - WORKS GENERAL\TRUCKDB\TRUCKDATABASE.MDW and that is my shortcut, now i have entered it and now i have to rejoin the system mdw. when the other computer open this mdw. they have to rejoin the system too? where will i rejoin the system from?
Thanks again
BT24

 

[dannyocean]

You go back into the workgroup administrator that you used to create your new mdw. In stead of creating a new workgroup you choose to join system.mdw. Your users will not have to go through this. They will use the shortcut you built. You may have trouble due to all the folder levels you have. I tried to go more than 2 levels and the shorcut didn't work.

i.e. V:\puball\um\dischrge.mdb work where as V:\puball\um\discharge\dischrge.mdb did not not

 

[BT24]

i think that's the new problem that i have, when i tried to make a shortcut the system said that i cant open it because there was something that i didnt recognize. i guess that there is no way around this? Because it works when i have it on my desktop.
thanks for the help
BT24

 

[BT24]

now it isnt working at all! i think that i will have to try something else
BT24

 

[dannyocean]

explain how it is not working

 

[BT24]

what is not working..is that when i try to open the shortcut it will not open the file it says that access cant find the file. and when i used it off the desktop, it worked once and then it wouldnt work again, it gave me a windows NT error. i think that i am doing it all wrong

 

[dannyocean]

from one of your earlier postings your db was inside of multple levels of folders. Did you move it?? I got a similar error when mine was inside three folders.

Also another hint is using dos names instead of long names. I found this helped over come some of my issues when writing the syntax for the target line. You can find out the DOS name by right clicking on the object in windows explorer and choosing proerties.

 

[BT24]

Hello
i finally got the mdw file. its not on the network but i think that i can make it work. Now that i have it, how do i specify who can see what? i went into the user\group information box but i dont know what to do in there

thanks for the help
BT24

 

[dannyocean]

It is best to put the mdw on the network with the db.

To set up usres/groups.

First you need to think about how to group your users. Then add groups that would suit your users.

I say this beacause it is easier to assign rights to groups and then add users to the groups instead of manageing the rights of each individual users.

Once you have your groups created. Then you assign the rights to the groups in Tools/Security/User Groups Permissions. Click on the groups option under the list of
users. Then go item by item assign the appropritate priveledges to the each group.

Once this is done then go to tool/security/user group accounts and add your users and assign them to groups.

 

[BT24]

Thanks,

Now that they are assigned there rights, when i log them in how will the computer know what user it is?

BT24

 

[dannyocean]

by them using the icon on the desktop that you created. There will be a log in pop up. In the user line type int thir name the exact way you entered them into security. This is how Access knows.

 

[BT24]

Thanks for the help, i really appreciate it
BT24