MS Access database locked

Question

I'm using Briefcase to keep a replica of the Access xp files from my XPS G2 running winxp2 on my Inspiron I9K laptop.   In the past everything went well, but in the last couple of weeks every time I try to synchronize the files in the briefcase (where they are used) I get a message the the file on the G2 can't be opened because it is already being used by another user. It suggests I close the program that is using it and try again. However, there is no program running on either computer that is running that file.   There are both a .MDB and .LDM file in the folder on the G2. I can't delete either one unless I do it from dos. If I move the file from the I9K to the G2 then try to synchronize, I get the message again and the LDB appears again. I don't have Access installed on the G2, only on the I9K.   Any help with this will be very much appreciated.   Fritz

abach · Answer

I'm not understanding what you're doing. You don't have Access installed on your desktop, yet you keep a copy of an Access file in the briefcase. I need to know why you're doing this. I then may be able to help you.

Let me know...

Zaunbrecher · Answer

Thank, Allan.

Initially I had access on both computers and I could work on the file xxx.mdb from either computer and synchronize without difficulty using the Briefcase folder on my I9P. Then, I found that I could no longer synchronize after using the xxx.mdb on my laptop because the file on my desktop was always "in use...". I found I could not delete the file on the desktop for the same reason, unless I did it though the del function in dos (CMD). In frustration I uninstalled access on the desktop to see if I could put a copy of xxx.mdb on the desktop and just use the access on my laptop to make changes to xxx.mdb. That hasn't worked either.

My goal is to have the access files on the desktop for safekeeping, have a briefcase folder on my laptop, use the laptop for my work, and to be able to synchronize the files when I get home.

Both computers use winxp2, and I have wireless networking.

I hope this is helpful. If not I can provide more info.

Thanks, Allan.

Fritz

abach · Answer

To make sure I understand you - you want to use the Access database on your laptop and keep a copy on your desktop, as a backup.   If this is the case, briefcase isn't the best way, in my opinion.  I would just copy the Access file to the desktop, using either a USB key or, if you have one, a network cable.   If you reinstall Access on the desktop, you can eliminate the 'in use' message by making sure you update the briefcase on both PC's.   Using briefcase is a form of replication for Access. It is best to keep the mdb file in the My Documents folder (or any other folder) on the desktop and copy it to the Briefcase to use on the laptop, then synchronize by copying it to the desktop and using the menu in Briefcase to Update All.. Using the copy in the Briefcase as the database on the desktop runs into some problems.   I hope this makes sense.

abach · Answer

OK. The reason the file is locked, Access is waiting for the file to close or finish synchronizing.

I'd recommend the following:

Reinstall Access on the desktop.
Create or copy the Access file to the folder Access Data on the desktop PC.
Create a new briefcase on your desktop PC's "desktop" by right clicking, choose New, Briefcase.
Drag the file from the Access Data folder to the briefcase.
Copy the briefcase to the laptop (Using a USB key, network cable, etc)
Open and work with the Briefcase copy on the laptop. When finished, copy it back the desktop PC's "desktop" and open this Briefcase. Under the Briefcase menu, choose Update All. This will update the changes from the laptop to the desktop.
Repeat the process each time you need to work on the laptop.

Does this make sense? It is cumbersome, but it will work. Just realize if you make changes to the same record on both computers before synchronizing, Access will warn and ask which change should be used.

Zaunbrecher · Answer

I'd like to keep the database file in a folder on my desktop computer in a folder called Access Data. The briefcase folder is on my laptop which I use for work away from home. I don't have a briefcase folder on my home pc.

Right now I have all my data base files on my laptop in a briefcase folder. I'd like to have copies in my Access Data folder on the pc and synchronize my files when I get home.

Recently, any time I try doing that the message I get is that the file on the pc is being used by another user so it can't be synchronized. There is no user on the pc because I uninstalled Access so that would be impossible.

Fritz

Zaunbrecher · Answer

I will give that a try. I thank you. Fritz

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MS Access database locked

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