ACC1x: Low Number of Share Locks Can Cause Error Message

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1

SYMPTOMS

You receive the error message "Can't save; record is locked by another user" in Microsoft Access, even when only one user (in one session on one computer) is using a database opened for shared access.

CAUSE

This error can be caused by an insufficient number of share locks.

RESOLUTION

Be sure that the number of share locks is set to 500 or more. The number of share locks is set by the /L:xxxx parameter when SHARE.EXE is invoked, usually in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, as follows:

   C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE /L:500

Although 500 share locks are sufficient for most Microsoft Access applications, some applications may have problems related to the number of share locks. You may need to gradually increase the number of share locks until these problems disappear. Try to add as few share locks as possible, since each share lock uses memory.

Note that if you are running Microsoft Access under Windows for Workgroups in 386 Enhanced mode, then you do not need to load SHARE.EXE in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. VSHARE.386, which is loaded automatically by Windows for Workgroups in 386 Enhanced mode, will take care of this problem.

STATUS

This behavior no longer occurs in Microsoft Access version 2.0.