Claims it's single user when it isn't

[Rachel SCUK]

On some days, when the computer is feeling more temperamental than other days, when we try and open our main database, a message pops up

" 'Client gen info' is currently in use and could not be opened. The file is single-user or the host could not be found on the network"

The server *is* on the network, and our way round it is to open it through filemaker, via clicking on 'host'. This always works, so it's not a huge problem, just abit annoying. Especially when you have to do the same for all the related databases which open with it.

Our office has 5 client iMacs working on 1 server iMac, connected via TCP/IP (although the same thing used to happen when we were connected via appletalk). We use FM 5.

Non overly-technical explanations welcome.

Cheers.

[LiveOak]

Are you running FM Server version or a client copy of FM on your iMac "Server"? If the Hosts dialog always works, how do you "normally" open the files?

If you are running a client copy of FM on the iMac, have file sharing turned on (again on the iMac) and are navigating to the folder with the databases and double clicking one to launch, this could be the problem. File sharing MUST be off on the iMac. You must always open the files using the Hosts dialog or using a launcher file on your local machine which opens all the files.

I just had a client complaining of terrible FM stability running FM Server (never happens, if setup properly). They had file sharing set to on on their server. When file sharing was turned off, everything became rock solid.

-bd

[Rachel SCUK]

We have a client copy of FM on the iMac "Server".

Normally we open the files through aliases and hot keys which would be essentially the same as double-clicking on the file to launch. Why is this a problem?

I don't understand what you are saying about turning filesharing off. On the server or the client? If on the server, how can we then access anything on it?

Cheers,

Rachel

[andygaunt]

Rachel,

File sharing is not the same as filemaker sharing.

File sharing allows users to connect to that machines hard drive and share documents from it.

Filemaker sharing (multi user) allows the filemaker application on clients machines to see the databases being shared.

with file sharing on, people can access the actual server machine and this can impeed performance among other things.

[Fisherman]

From your post, it sounds like you are using an iMac as a sever to share files and on this server you have a copy of

[Alan Betts]

From your post it sounds like the first person in the office will open the database by file sharing to the server and opening it. This person then becomes the host to that file - not the server.

Then when others try to do the same, it will tell you that the file is in use - which is correct.

The above is an assumption, so I should ask if the Filemaker databases are firstly opened on the server before anyone acceses them. If not then you will not be using the server as a server, merely as a place to store your files

As you are not using FM server your files will need to be opened and closed manually. There is also a question of how you back up your files in this scenario - I have set up a few systems such as this, and getting people to remember to close down the files before they back them up is always a problem - sepecially if they are on a remote machine.

FM server would be your best solution, as your files can be open 24/7 and you will not come across your error ever again.

If you only acquire FM server for the automatic back up facilities, then it is well worth the expense. I have fitted many backup systems and the question I always put to those who think that money is better spent elsewhere is, how much would it cost to retype in the data- on the assumption that you still have the data to re-enter.

Consider looking at FM server as a solution, it may seem like a large outlay initially, but the time saved on Admin and backup will pay for itself in no time.

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Rachel:

As these lads have been explaining, your system is set up incorrectly. It is very likely to damage your files. Your best bet is to invest in FileMaker Server. Check out the FileMaker Server Best practices White Paper on the FMI website.

Old Advance Man

[Rachel SCUK]

Thank you all for your replies, although I am still unclear on a number of points.

Liveoak mentioned three things I am doing wrong, and others have agreed with him.

1) Using a client copy of FM as the host, rather than FM server.

Is it really worth investing in FM server for such a small office? At the most there are six people using the databases.

I don

[Steven H. Blackwell]

>The iMac

[Kurt Knippel]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rachel B:

Is it really worth investing in FM server for such a small office? At the most there are six people using the databases.

---

Most people will recommend FM Server once you have 5+ concurrent users, and I think that most of the experts on this forum will agree. The performance, stability ans security benefits far outweigh the relatively low cost of the FMServer application.

quote:

---

I don

[Vaughan]

I recently worked with a group that thought daily Filemaker database crashes and data loss was normal. They put up with it for months. When I heard their story I guessed their situation right off: opening the databases from a file server. (Did you notice other posters guessed your situation quickly too?)

I spent half a day setting up a dedicated machine (I reckon an iMac will be OK) installing FMP (FM Server is better but normal FMP is OK for small number of users) and *importantly* deleting all other copied of the databases from the users computers. I then made an "opener" file for users to double-click on to access the databases.

Two things happened: the system has not lost one byte of data or crashed in over a year; and they found the system was faster and more responsive than ever before. (It got even faster when I installed FM Server).

I lied, there were three things: they became very happy indeed.

[Rachel SCUK]

Cheers to everyone for your help.

Rachel