field is not modifiable???

[halo14]

I have a FileMaker 5.5 database shared from a WIndows 2000 Server (not a domain yet)

I had the database open on the server so it would be the host but anyone else that opens the database can't do anything. The front desk person opened the database, hit Ctrl+F to search, and when trying to key a last name to search it pops up with "Field is not modifiable"

The file is NOT Read-Only, I have given full permissions to the share for Everyone. I don't know what the problem is. I'm not a FileMaker guru at all... I'm a network tech and system admin. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

[RalphL]

Are you using the OS sharing? If so turn it off for the FM folder. Users log on using Hosts button. FM has its own sharing that conflicts with OS sharing.

[LiveOak]

First, I gather you are not using FM Server, but a client copy of FM on the Win2000 server. You do NOT want to open files by having users navigate to the shared volume and launch the data file!! There are no end of problems this will cause. It is best to put the data files on a volume that is not visible to users and not shared.

Users should open shared FM files from within FileMaker via: File Menu--> Open --> Hosts. Any other method using shared drives will cause massive problems.

If you are using FM Server, the same is true. FMI does not recommend running FM Server on a machine peforming other functions (DNS, File Server, etc.).

-bd

[halo14]

Thanks a lot guys... Yes you are correct I am NOT using FileMaker Server. That is why I id not originally post in the FMServer Forum. I'll try that. Thanks a lot!

[halo14]

Well that didn't work. And the Windows 2000 Server is not running any other services...yet. And it is only serving 5 other people. I disabled sharing of the FileMaker Pro database, and left it open under the server. Upon opening it via any other computer, using the hosts option, I still get the "field is not modifiable" box.

[LiveOak]

A couple of possibilities:

1) the field is a calculated field

2) the field is formatted on the layou with "allow modification" unchecked. (Layout mode, Format, Field Format)

-bd

[halo14]

Sorry... the field is not a calculated field, I get this error on all fields in the form when it is opened as a guest. And i found no entry for "Allow Modification" under the Format > Format Field box, it is called "Allow Entry Into Field" under the "Behavior" section, and that box is checked. Any other ideas?

Also, to see if it was relating to the Windows 2000 Server, I pulled the database onto a Windows 2000 Professional workstation, opened the database, then accessed it from a Windows XP Professional workstation using the hosts box, and came up with the same results:

Original opener (host) of the database can do whatever they want, any subsequent (guests) people opening the database cannot use "Find" mode. Thanks for your help... Any other ideas?

[LiveOak]

Hmmmmm... Are any passwords/groups defined for the file?

I guess there is always the possibility of some sort of corruption, but this sounds like something with a reason based upon settings.

If you send me the file (or a clone, if it's large or has sensitive data), I'll have a look.

-bd

[halo14]

I think it must have been some sort of corruption. I had an idea of trying to to a database recover, and now I can modify the file as guest. BTW - there are no users/groups defines for it, only a password. Another thing that didn't get fixed by the database recovery is as follows:

The database is for a substance abuse treatment facility, and there is a page for group education attendance, wih dates and amount of hours spent.. At the end there is a calculated field totalling the amount of hours... And it's not calculating amymore.. I have checked the calculation formula, and near as I can tell it's correct.. Not a big deal.. just a querk that doesn't make sense.. Thanks for your help though.

[LiveOak]

The best you can do is take an old file (hopefully the same structure and known good), make a clone of it, and import the data from the corrupted file.

-bd