Can not access an access file over network

Hi Guys,
Need some help

I have set up our office with 3 computer on a wired/ wireless network and every one can access the net and the files on the main computer with one exception.

It is an MS access database file with all our customers on it. Every computer has the software to read the file and I have made the My Documents folder available to all.
The word files and excel files are just fine and can be seen and altered by the remote computers but the access files give me a problem.
When I try to open it, access tells me that it WILL NOT open it because it is not on this intranet and a potential security risk. If I want to open it I should copy it to this machine and then open it. When I tried to open it, it was not in use by any one.

I also moved it to a different location on the main computer, but get the same resuls.

Any help is appreciated.
Sven

 

Are you by any chance opening the file using a UNC path (eg \\COMPUTER\Shared\xzyz.mdb)? If so, you may find that all is OK if you map a network drive. If that fixes it but isn't acceptable as a solution, try adding the address to your UrlAllowList (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896054).

 

Brummig
Q: how do you map a network drive?

Step by step instructions please!

Thanks
Sven

 

Open Windows Explorer and select Tools...Map Network Drive from the menu. Use the Browse button to browse your network for the folder where your file is stored (you can choose a higher level folder if you wish to make a variety of subfolders available on the network drive). Then select whatever drive letter you fancy from the drop list. If this solves the problem to your satisfaction, later on when you finalise the arrangement you will want to select Reconnect at logon.

You can also locate information on mapping network drives if you select Help and Support from the Start menu.

 

Thanks, i will give that a try
Sven

 

Brummig,
Thanks for the info.
I did as you told me to do, but nothing changed. I can see all files and open and work on all files except Access files. Now it tells me " The network jet database engine cannot open the File \\inter\my documents\customer.mdb. It is already opend exclusively by another user, or you need permission to view the data "

I made my document folder availabe to all computers on the network and the specific .mdb file was not in use by anyone.
Any additional help would be apreciated

Sven

 

I think the clue may be when you say

You do need to open the file from the mapped network drive (which will make the path something like Z:\customer.mdb); just mapping the drive is insufficient. Either direct Windows Explorer to the appropriate folder in the mapped drive (Drive Z: in my example) and double-click on customer.mdb, or do the same in the File Open dialog in Access.

 

Brummig

i tried both ways, Z:\ and \\ inter.
Same results.
All other files i can open in either format, only .mdb files will not open.
any other idears?
Sven

 

Select Tools...Intenet Options... in Internet Explorer. Click on the Security tab and then on the Local intranet icon. Next press the Sites... button and check that Include all network paths (UNC's) is selected.

 

I am out of town but will try that when I get back. I will post back at that time.
thanks
sven

 

Brummig,
I just checked and all is selected in "sites ",
still can not access the .mdb files. all other files are O.K.
any other things that I can try?
Sven

 

It could be that you have to explicitly add the path of the file you are trying to open. This can be done by clicking the Advanced... button in the dialog you have already looked at. Alternatively, but along the same lines, perhaps this applies to you.

 

Brummig,
I have been to the MS web you gave me, and it shows exactly the error that i get, but i don't understand how to fix it. can you help
Sven

 

You need to take a look at the instructions under the Workaround sub-heading. The first of these I described in my previous post. The second works in a similar way, but instead of clicking on the Local intranet icon in the Internet Options dialog, you click on Trusted sites. The third applies to w2k3, which I don't have so I can't give you any further assistance with it, but it looks straightforward.

 

Brummig,

I printed out the direction on how to do this and went at it. I added the ip address of the computer to the trusted sites and rebooted, but the problem persists.
I get something about jet something can not open the file because some one has it open exclusively or you need permission. Same as in post 6

Very frustrating
Any more suggestions?

Sven

 

Since you entered an IP address, would it not accept the UNC path (\\inter\my documents)? The only other thing I can suggest is you hunt around for options similar to the ones I've pointed you towards. Maybe there's something in Access (there isn't in my copy).

 

Brummig,
thanks for all your help.
maybe it is time to call in a pro. i could have made a mistake some where and don't even know it.

Sven

 

Brummig,

Here is a strange one:

On a whim I made a copy of the Customer.mdb file and copied it to the same directory.
It shows as "copy of customer.mdb" in that directory.
Now I can access the file from the remote computer. I then changed the file name of the original file and named the copy Customer.mdb. Now I can access the file just fine.

I do not understand it, but I will take it.

Again thanks for all your help in pointing me in the right direction

Sven

 

How utterly bizarre! I wonder if copying it triggered some change that allowed one of my suggestions to have a useful effect. Did you reverse the changes you had made to date, or leave them in place?

 

If you have copied the access file over from an external source, it maybe that it was blocked. Go into the file where the .mdb is and right click on the file > go to properties and under the general tab at the bottom, there maybe a button beneath the "Advanced" button that says "Unbock ".

If so, click this to unblock it.

Kind Regards