Split Database Permissions Issue

[SurfChick]

First, I would like to thank everyone who participates in this Forum. The information I have found here has been remarkably helpful, especially since I am a beginning-level Access user faced with an advanced-level task. You have already helped me tremendously. But now I am stumped...

I have read through most other posts (as well as support.microsoft.com) regarding splitting a database, setting permissions, and workgroup set-up, but I haven't found anything that specifically addresses my issue.

My front-end (form, macro) is located in a public folder on a shared NT Network drive, the back-end (table) is located in my personal folder on the same Network drive. User permissions on the front-end have been set to update/add/delete and per the Microsoft Support article "How to Manually Split a Microsoft Access Database", user permissions on the back-end have been set to full access. (I found that the Data Splitter stinks and manually splitting was less confusing.)

Since there will be multiple users of this form, I planned to distribute (via email) a short-cut icon that includes code that points to the workgroup file (in same directory as front-end) and launches a login window. I've got this all to work correctly from MY PC, but when I engage the short-cut from other PCs on the network I can get the logon prompt and sign in but then I get the error message: "The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot open the file 'W\vhanflwingk\DTF.mdb'. It is already opened exclusively by another user, or you need permission to view its data."

This error message is referring to the back-end table in my personal folder, which I know is not open anywhere else and I know has been set with full access permissions. HELP!

I'm hoping that I just can't see the forest for the trees and that there is a very simple solution. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JonH]

Do you get this error if you log on at a PC other than your own or is it just other users who get this error?

JonH

 

[Autoeng]

It sounds like you have your files in the wrong locations. If the BE is in your personal network directory how are other users going to be able to get to it? The usual setup for a distributed db is the FE on every users machine and the BE on a shared network drive. Also on the shared network drive would be the security file. You can then create a batch file to email to your users that when executed copies the FE to their machine (ensuring latest revision), opens Access, opens the db and loads the correct workgroup security file.

Autoeng

 

[SurfChick]

Jon,
Thanks for your reply. The problem only happens for other users. I can log on at other PCs and access the file(s), no problem.

Autoeng,
Thank you for your reply as well. I'll try moving the files to the different directories, as you suggested, and see what happens. I'm not a programmer by any means, so I'll have to do some research about creating batch files.

I'll post a follow-up later today with my progress, or lack thereof.

Kristen, aka SurfChick

 

[Autoeng]

See this post about batch files. We had some problems with Rob's server permissions but for most they work.

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36445

Autoeng

 

[SurfChick]

Thanks Autoeng! Right after I read your post this morning I searched the forum and found exactly the message you are referring to. It took some fooling around with the batch script, but I think I've got it working! I've tested with two other users and they haven't had any problems. The real test will be when I distribute it to 30+ people.

Your assistance is most appreciated!

Kristen