If the database is closed, just dulpicate the database in the OS. If it is open, use the Save a Copy As... command.

The "Save a Copy as" is disabled. How it be enabled?

CP

Why is it disabled? It could be:

1) you don't have a full password for the database

2) the file is multiuser and somebody else is using it

3) the file is hosted on a remote FMP server

Find out which it is.

I am very new to FM. There is an exisiting Database that I like to copy and play with, before making changes to the actual database. How do I do this in FM5.5?

I do have the password to the database.

Yes, it is multiuser.

- Is there a way to determine who is using the database so that I can call them to logout?

- Is there another way to copy the entire database while someone else is using it?

Yes, the the file is hosted on a remote FMP server.

- Does this mean I cannot copy the the database?

Appreciate your help.

To answer your first question, and determine who is using the databases you can do the following

1)If you open the FileMaker application, you get the screen to open : a new database using a tenplate, a completely new empty database,or an existing database; you should choose the last option (or if you have the FileMaker application open, use File->Open),

2) When you get the file open window, click on the 'Hosts' button, you will get a list of all FileMaker databases that are open on the server, and you will see the name of the FileMaker server,

3) Double click the server's name and you will get the administration window that has three tabs : Folders, Files & Guests, click on the Guests tab and you see all the guests that are using the databases. Otherwise, if you prefer to see all people opening that particular database, you choose the Files tab, and click on the small triangle next to the database in question, and you get all the people using it.

To answer you second question :

Yes, you can copy a database while others are using it, and that is using the FileMaker Console on the FileMaker server. Using the console, you schedule a backup task, through which you specify your database and the location to which it should be backed up; and that is how you get a copy of the database, while other are using it.

And to answer you last question :

Yes, it is true that you cannot copy a databse if it is open on the server; you have to either close the database and take a copy, or do the backup schedule that I mentioned earlier.

I hope this will be of help to you.