A client with a Donations-based solution shut down their dedicated Mini over the 4th. When they started it up again this morning, Server wouldn't open the file. It saw the file, ran "Checking..." and then Closed it.

I rebooted with no luck. Then I opened it locally using a copy of FM8 to see if there was something wrong with the file and it opened fine. Then I closed it and tried opening it again with Server and it worksed fine. Or at least seems to be working fine.

Should I worry about the file? Why would opening it locally help here?

Thanks,

DJ

Yes you should worry. Close the file. Stop the daemon. Open teh file in FMP 8 or FMP 8.5. Save a copy as compressed. Use the copy.

Steven

And follow the correct procedure for shutting down a FM Server:

1) disconnect all guests

2) instruct FM Server to close the files, and wait for them to close

3) stop the FM Server service/daemon

4) shutdown the box

Thanks. I'm out of my depth with Server, but the network admin who set up the server knows less than I do, so any help is appreciated.

Is the best way to stop the daemon what the FMS8 Admin Guide recommends:

"1. In FileMaker Server Admin, choose Server menu > Local FileMaker Server Administration.

2. Click the lock.

3. At the prompt, enter an OS-level user name and password.

Note: The account must have administrative privileges.

4. Click Stop FileMaker Server Processes. "

I'm assuming it is, but wanted to check with some human beings.

Are there other resources besides the Admin Guide that would be worthwhile to read? I'm working my way through the guide, but the more info the better.

DJ

Check out the Server Tech Brief found here.

Or you could purchase Wim Decorte's excellent video tutorial on FileMaker Server found here.

HTH

Steven

I followed all the steps and now I'm in real trouble.

The compacted copy opens fine in FM8, but when it's served, the clients have many greyed out menu items.

Me, with Full Access on 8.5A can't access New/Delete/Duplicate Records, Scriptmaker, File Options, no Editing etc. I can't edit directly into any field.

It's not custom menus (there are none), it's not a paused script.

Is it time to go to backup or is there something obvious I'm missing?

Thanks again,

DJ

Your OS level file permissions are wrong. Be sure that fmsadmin is the Group owner of these files and that the prmissions are set to read write. Get at this via the Get Info UI at the OS level.

And you really do need to read that Tech Brief I referenced earlier.

Steven