Database Not Open Error When Database Is Open

[webdezchris]

Hi,

I am running FileMaker Pro 5.0v3 on a Windows 2003 server. It is hosting 8 Filemaker Databases using CDML to create web forms on a website. Occasionally, one of the web forms will bring up an error dialog that the form cannot be opened because the database is not open. Once I find out about the error, I go onto the server, close the database and immediately re-open it, and the error is resolved. Does anyone know how I can prevent this error from occurring?

Thanks,

Chris

[Anatoli]

Do you have the latest versions of FM and WC?

How do you share the database on web?

[Unable]

This problem is most common to a developer in development mode. You may need to fiddle with the browser Preferrences > Cache > Compare the page ..., on the machine in which you are developing.

While this may not express it fully or in the best terms, my experience is it has to do with the way we develop and go back and try something again which does not clear or amend cache properly. Ultimately the browser gets "frustrated" (faulty memory cache) and won't recognize what we are doing.

And you do have the latest version of 5, but make sure you have the latest updaters for Web Companion.

[webdezchris]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. A few extra things I've noticed.

This seems to be happening consistently to the same database. Also, not only is it producing this error, but someother features directly in the application are not working. When I click on "Sharing..." in the File menu, nothing happens. Also, the menu item which is usually "Access Privileges" instead reads "Change Password" but is greyed out. And "Delete All Records" is greyed out, as well.

Closing and re-opening the database clears up all the problems.

I am using the lastest versions of both FM and WC.

To answer Anatoli's question, I share using Multi-User with all three Companion Sharing options checked (Local Data Access Companion, Remote Data Access Companion, and Web Companion).

Unfortunately I got lost on Unable's question. These databases were not actually developed here, but by the client for whom I host them. I clicked on my Preferences menu and only had "Application" and "Document", not "Cache".

Thanks again for everyone's help!

Chris

[Unable]

"Unfortunately I got lost on Unable's question ... I clicked on my Preferences menu and only had "Application" and "Document", not "Cache"."

First, I did not have one interrogatory in the post.

Second, you need to re-read what I wrote and you will see I was specific about "browser Preferrences" not FileMaker preferences.

I'm not surprised you have problems.

[webdezchris]

Yes, upon another read I see your remark was not phrased as a question. The point is that I got lost. Thank you for clearing that up. I should have originally specified that this is experienced by all users at all locations. So it's not a browser issue.

We were coming from different directions, which is why I misinterpreted your advice. This obviously frustrated you, but I would still appreciate any further advice anyone could offer.

Thanks again to all,

Chris

[Anatoli]

Do you have the latest versions of FM and WC?

[Kate]

[color:"blue"] Hello, I'm having a smiliar problem with different attributes. My database is in fact open and I'm able to access it remotely using FMP but cannot access it via the web companion. The error message reads: "Database not open: Unable to process your request because the database 'Contacts.fp5' is not open". The database is setup for single user and is shared through FM Server. Does anyone know why this is?

[Anatoli]

Is it permanent situation?

[Kate]

I hope not. I can view the database on the server but not anywhere else. I've tried recovering it and that didn't work. Tried restarting everything which also did not work. I'm out of ideas.

[Anatoli]

RE: The database is setup for single user and is shared through FM Server. Does anyone know why this is?

I am afraid I do not understand your problem. Who is serving the database to web?

[dcab10]

Make sure that all levels in the Access Privileges have 'Export Records' checked. That did solve the same problem for my database running with web companion. Aloha!

[jims]

I have had the same problem; it really appears to be an http connection problem. If someone coming in via the web terminates from a database search (if the return data is taking too long, for instance) by hitting the stop button on the browser, the Web Companion seems to drop all subsequent requests, with the infamous "file xxx.fp5 is not open" error message.

I am trying to find out if there is a patch or an update for this; however I cannot tell what version of Web Companion I am running.

I did the install of Filemaker Unlimited and have Version 6.0v4 for Windows. It seems to be the latest version. There are updaters on the Filemaker website for Web Companion 5.x, but nothing for 6.

Any other suggestions?