Can I make Linked Table Read-Only

[Guest]

My db has a link to another's db which is only used to display a combo box
list that I choose a name from. When I'm in my db choosing my name,
apparently, that locks my co-worker out of his db that I'm linked to. Can I
set my db link to be a read-only so that my co-worker will always have full
access to his db even if I'm currently linking it? Thx, Dj

 

[Rick Brandt]

My db has a link to another's db which is only used to display a
combo box list that I choose a name from. When I'm in my db choosing
my name, apparently, that locks my co-worker out of his db that I'm
linked to. Can I set my db link to be a read-only so that my
co-worker will always have full access to his db even if I'm
currently linking it? Thx, Dj

Sounds like you don't have adequate permissions to the FOLDER where the
linked table file is located. When you make use of a link you are actually
opening that other MDB file and Access will try to create a locking file
(LDB). If you do not have permissions to create files in that folder then
no LDB file is created thus giving you exclusive access to the file.

To test, look at the folder where the other file is located and then open
the form that has your ComboBox on it. You should see an LDB file appear in
that folder. If not then that is the problem.

 

[Guest]

But I don't want exclusive access. If I do have permission to read/write in
that folder and my combobox does create an LDB, then isn't that locking
others out of their DB. That's what I'm trying to avoid. If I do have
permission, can I set my link to open their DB without creating an LDB? I
hope I'm understanding you correctly. Exclusive access means when I'm in
their db (via my link), no one else can access it, correct? Thanks again!

 

[Guest]

Ok, I just checked and this is what happens. When I'm in my DB, there is NO
..LDB file, however, the others still get a "file is in use" error and can not
get into thier DB.

If they get in their DB first, then there IS an .LDB file and my DB won't
let me access my combo-box; I get the same "file in use" error.

 

[Rick Brandt]

But I don't want exclusive access. If I do have permission to
read/write in that folder and my combobox does create an LDB, then
isn't that locking others out of their DB. That's what I'm trying to
avoid. If I do have permission, can I set my link to open their DB
without creating an LDB?

No. The purpose of the locking file is to *manage* the locking of records
when multple users are in a file so that they don't interfere with each
other. It is when you don't have an LDB file that you have exclusive
access. When a second user attempts to open the file, Access can see that
someone is already in the file and then tries to UPDATE the LDB file to
accomodate the second user. When it finds that there is no LDB file access
is denied to the second user.

I hope I'm understanding you correctly.
Exclusive access means when I'm in their db (via my link), no one
else can access it, correct? Thanks again!

Yes, that is what "exclusive" means, but you have the rest of it backwards.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for explaining that for me. So what do I need to do so that I
create an .LDB.

 

[Guest]

That means you need to get your network administrator to grant you read/write
permission to the folder where that mdb is located.

 

[Guest]

I'm sorry I'm not seeming to grasp this but it seems a little backwards to
me. Please let me know if I have this correct...

If I don't have read/write access permission to their folder, I can open
their file in their folder and it will be locked for editing by them because
I've opend it exclusively. (.ldb will not exist)

If I do have read/write access permission to their folder, I can open their
file and they'll still be able to get in at the same time I'm in. (.ldb will
exist)

Is that correct? And is there a way for me to determine if I have
read/write access to their folder by looking at my properties on the folder
or do I have to ask IT. Also, it's not just me, but 15 users in my
department and I'd rather not ask IT to grant all 15 of my users read/write
permission to the other departments folder if I don't have to. Might there
be another way around this?

 

[Guest]

That is correct, but it is not as bacwards as it appears. When you open an
mdb, it tries to create an ldb file with the same name. If you have read
permissions, you can open the mdb, but if you don't have write permissions,
you can't create the ldb. As previously stated, without an ldb, an mdb is
opened as exclusive.

You can see your permissions in the Properties dialog of the folder in
question. (Right Click on it and select Properties).

I understand your concern about using another department's folder. Assuming
this folder only contains the other department's mdb, there is a way to
accomplish this provided IT will allow write permissions. That would be to
implement Access User Security. You could set it up so that users would have
read only permission on the table your combo is based on.

The only other option I can think of is to periodically import that table
into your mdb.

 

[Rick Brandt]

Is that correct? And is there a way for me to determine if I have
read/write access to their folder by looking at my properties on the
folder or do I have to ask IT.

Easy test...

Go to that folder in Windows explorer and try to create a new text file
within it. If that is successful then try to edit the content of the text
file and save it. If that is successful try to delete the text file.

You need to be able to perform all of those steps for the Access locking
file to be managed properly. If you cannot do all of them then you need
more permissions on that folder.