Multiple Users Accessing Database

Question

Hi,

I currently have a database sitting on a computer that is sharing the database with other computers.  If someone logs into the database on the computer that it is sitting on first, another user (from another computer) cant go into the database.  If a different user (person that is networked to the database) goes in first, then the user who has it on their computer can go on too.  Any ideas what is going on.  If it makes any difference, there are tables that are linked to this database. 

Thanks

Answer 1

A shared database should be "split" into a shared Backend (containing only tables), and a Frontend containing all your forms, reports, queries and code. Each user should have their own individual copy of the frontend, all linked to the same backend over the network. Sharing a frontend, or a single database, is a recipe for corruption, bad performance, and the kind of lockouts that you're seeing.

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John W. Vinson/MVP

Answer 2

Thanks! Got it to work when I just copied the main database to the other computer.  I just don't understand why it didn't work the other way though because it seems like it is still the same thing.  Any how, I have other databases that sit on a server and everyone access it at the same time without this problem, but those databases aren't split.  How is this so?  With the way I have this current one setup, should the performance be better? Ex. less laggy?  Also, if I wanted to update forms etc, doesn't that mean that I would have to export to every user??

Answer 3

By the sounds of it you have already split the db. 

That said, you must deploy a separate copy of the front-end (queries, reports, forms,...) to each user.  They cannot share the same copy!  Typically, the front-end should be located on their respective computers and not run from a server.

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Daniel Pineault, 2010-2011 Microsoft MVP

http://www.cardaconsultants.com

MS Access Tips and Code Samples: http://www.devhut.net

Answer 4

All the tables are actually sitting in different access databases that are linked to the main database that people access (the one with the queries, reports, forms, macros, etc.).  If it is structured like this, do I still need to split it?

Answer 5

John is right on the money, but I thought I'd provide you with some links to help you (a) understand the why (b) understand the how.

http://www.databasedev.co.uk/split_a_database.html

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=1119

http://www.fmsinc.com/microsoftaccess/DatabaseSplitter/index.html

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304932

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/split-a-database-HA010240096.aspx

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Articles/split/

I hope this helps,

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Daniel Pineault, 2010-2011 Microsoft MVP

http://www.cardaconsultants.com

MS Access Tips and Code Samples: http://www.devhut.net