I have a few databases that are link to each other and several ppl have access to them. Does anyone know why sometimes the linkage between files is lost? When that happens it'll pop up a dialog saying "[Filename] could not be found. Please locate the file again or click cancel blah blah blah..."

Is there a way to prevent that from happening?

Thanks!

I had that happen too -- and when I manually try to make the connection to the right file, it won't let me (I get the error message that the file is "in use."). Did you ever figure out a solution?

How are the files being shared -- are they on a file server somewhere where people open them by double-clicking on their icons? This is the worst way of sharing FMP files: the first person that opens them becomes the FM Host and all subsequent guests connect to them: so it could be a different machine each time depending on who opens it first. It's also the slowest way to share files and it's also the most likely to cause corruption.

The only reliable method is to set up a single machine dedicated to being the FM host. Get all the files of the other servers and copy them to the hard disk of the FM Server, then open them with FMP (or even better FM Server: FMS allows automated backup, more guests and better performance). Then get the users to connect to the FM Server.

Thanks. that really makes sense to me. however, i guess i'm still a bit confused...

right now we have a server that stores all the databases. ppl just go to that server to open the filemaker files. but like u said, they double click on the icon to open them. and we see a lot of those file-missing problems...

if i understand correctly, your suggested method would require the filemaker files to be open 24/7 on the host? or am i wrong? how would this method fix the file linkage error?

thanks for your patience.

given the response above, can someone explain the difference between a host and a guest within the context of FMP?

my limited understanding seems to be that the host has more pivileges as opposed to the guest. but that in itself can be changed by the correct administration of privileges rights to different groups of users.

First the files must be set as multi-user. You'll find the option under the file menu.

One computer should open the files directly, "the host", and run them all the time.

The rest of the machines should connect using the "Open Remote..." command under the file menu (older versions must go to "Open..." then click the "Hosts" button). The files should not be on a volume that is shared to all users on the network. The last thing you want is more than one person accessing the file directly, they MUST be shared by a copy of FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server!

I experienced that problem on my own computer, not networked with anyone else. Baffling!