disabling a form

[swift]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some help/assistance with my database.
When I setup the database it was being used on one solitary PC, now it is being used on four machines simultaneously; and potentially on three more very soon. I have one minor irritation which I would like to try and resolve.
I have a main form where users enter information about test samples and access generates an autonumber which stays with the sample.
With multiple users of the DB, I am increasingly finding either conflicts or records with an ID and no information entered against it.

What I would like to know is, would it be possible to disable the main form (via the command button?) after it is opened by any user (so that only one user can use the form at a time). Obviously users 2, 3 and 4 would have to wait until the form was closed and then the form would become available again.

Any help/assistance would be gratefully appreciated.

Cheers

swifty

 

[RuralGuy]

With multiple users it is very important that the application be split to FrontEnd and Back end. Have you done that?

 

[swift]

Nope, the DB isn't split.....is that something i should seriously consider?
That link has some good information, is it relevant to Access 2007?

The one issue I may have with splitting is that the shared drive is assigned different ID's on different PC's....I'll have a look around the forum for advice on splitting....

cheers

 

[boblarson]

Nope, the DB isn't split.....is that something i should seriously consider?

For multiple users - don't think of using it any other way or corruption is virtually guaranteed at some point.

That link has some good information, is it relevant to Access 2007?

That is relevant to ALL versions of Access

The one issue I may have with splitting is that the shared drive is assigned different ID's on different PC's

No problem, use UNC (universal Naming Convention) for example like:
\\ServerName\ServerShareName\YourFolderName\databasefile_be.accdb

 

[RuralGuy]

Everyone needs their own copy of the FrontEnd as well. Tony (that site) created a utility that will keep the FE up to date and make it easy to do the distribution. Come to think of it, Bob Larson has a utility as well. I know it is on his site.
http://www.btabdevelopment.com/main/MyFreeAccessTools/tabid/78/Default.aspx

 

[swift]

ok guys, thanks for the replys.

I'm guessing that splitting the DB will resolve the autonumbering problems I'm having as well......sort of killing two birds with one stone?!

cheers

swifty