Only the first user of ACT!2000 can open database files.

(Last modified: 25Nov2002)

This document (10068297) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

fact

Novell NetWare 6.0

Novell NetWare 5.x

Novell Storage Services

NSS Volumes

ACT!2000 Database

symptom

Only the first user of ACT!2000 can open database files.

Subsequent users get "file in use" errors.

Cannot Share an ACT! 2000 Database residing on an NSS volume

fix

Act!2000 is incompatible with NSS.  Interact Commerce Corporation (ICC), the owners of ACT!2000, ssuggest that you either move your ACT!2000  dabase to a traditional NetWare volume, or that you enable CIFS access for your NSS volume by installing and configuring  Native File Access for Windows on the server where the database resides. 

An enhancement request has been entered with ICC.  If,  to increase the priority of the issue,  you would also like to log an enhancement request with ICC, you may do so at the URL below.  Choose "General" in the "Type of Feature" drop down list: http://www.act.com/home/index.php3?cellid=309050011011

Two pertinent docs cut and pasted from the ACT!2000 knowledgebase:

1.   http://itdomino.saleslogix.com/act.nsf/docid/200082191238  

Document ID:200082191238
Product(s): ACT! 2000 - PC
Operating System(s):

Situation:
Your database is stored on a Novell server running Novell Storage Services. Only one workstation can access the database. When a second workstation attempts to access the database they get a file in use error message.

Solution:
There is no solution at this time. Novell Storage Services is not supported.

2.   http://itdomino.act.com/act.nsf/docid/20027211170?OpenDocument#_Section2

Document Title: Installing and Running an ACT! Database on a Novell Network
Document ID:20027211170

Product(s): ACT! 5.0 - PC; ACT! 6.0 - PC
Operating System(s):Windows 2000; Windows 95; Windows 98; Windows ME; Windows NT; Windows XP Home; Windows XP Pro

Situation:
You have a Novell Network, and would like to set up your ACT! database in a shared location so that multiple users may access it simultaneously.

Solution:
-" target="_blank">http://itdomino.act.com/act.nsf/docid/20027211170?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=-2#_Section2" target=_self>-Installing an ACT! Database on a Novell Network

Introduction and Important Notes
Before sharing an ACT! database over a network, see the following document to resolve any issues that may cause database corruption when an ACT! database is accessed over a network: Note: This information is provided as a courtesy. ACT! does not provide technical support for server configuration or mapping of network drives. By "server" we are referring to the computer that will be hosting the ACT! database and other files such as layouts, documents, templates, etc. By "workstation" we are referring to any of the computers that are accessing the ACT! data that resides on the server. You must purchase a licensed copy of ACT! for each workstation. You must perform a full install of ACT! on each workstation. The server only needs ACT! installed if you want to run ACT! on the server, which may be useful for performing administrative functions on the database.

Caution: We neither support nor recommend accessing ACT! databases over dial-up connections, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), or Wide Area Networks (WAN).

Setting Up the Server
    1. Create a folder on the server called ACTSHARE. This folder can be anywhere on the server's hard drives.
    2. Set the ACTSHARE folder to be shared over the network. Each ACT! user must have full access rights to this folder. If you need assistance sharing a folder, please contact a local computer technician or Novell Support.
    3. Create a folder called DATABASE in the ACTSHARE folder.
    4. Save a copy of the ACT! database into the DATABASE folder. This will be the database all users will share.

    Note: For information about sharing more than the database, please see the subsection entitled, "Sharing More than Just the Database".
Setting Up the Workstations
    1. On each workstation, map a drive to the ACTSHARE folder on the server. This should be the same drive letter on all machines.
    2. Set the default database folder to the database folder on the server.
      a. Open ACT!
      b. From the Edit menu, choose Preferences. The Preferences dialog appears.
      c. Select the General tab.
      d. In the "Default locations" section, make sure the "File type" drop-down is set to Database.
      e. Click the Browse button to the right of the "Location" field.
      f. In the "Browse for Folder" dialog, find the mapped drive created in step 1.
      g. Click OK.
      h. Click OK to close the Preferences dialog.
    3. To open the network database, choose Open from the File menu. Select the database to open and click Open.

    Note: If you are using Novell Client Drivers for Windows, you need to configure the drivers for operation with ACT!. Please follow the procedure outlined later in this document to do this.
Sharing More than Just the Database
The following folders can also be shared:
    • Document - Letters written using ACT! (using ACT! Word Processor or Microsoft Word)
    • Template - Templates used for writing letters and performing mail merges
    • Email - Attached e-mail messages
    • Layout - The database layouts
    • Macro - Macros
    • NetLinks - Internet Links (can also be used for saved or attached web pages in ACT! 6)
    • Query - Custom queries
    • Report - Report, label, and envelope templates
    • Spell - Spell check dictionary
To share any of the above folders:
    1. Copy the desired folder from a workstation to the ACTSHARE folder on the server.
    2. Open ACT! on a workstation.
    3. From the Edit menu, choose Preferences.
    4. On the General tab, in the "Default locations" section, choose the desired File type.
    5. Click the Browse button. Select the desired folder through the mapped drive. Click OK.
    6. Click OK to close the Preferences dialog.
    7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each workstation.
Important Considerations: Attached Files
When a file is attached to a contact (on the Notes/History tab), the file is not saved in the database. ACT! saves the attachment as a shortcut to the location where the existing file resides.

If one user attaches a file (e.g. C:\My Documents\MYFILE.XLS) to a contact, ACT! saves the shortcut as "C:\My Documents\MYFILE.XLS" in the database. That file will not be available to be opened from another computer, because the file does not exist in a location that the other computer can access. To be sure attachments are viewable by all ACT! users on the network, we suggest saving the files you want to attach to contacts into the Document folder being shared on the server, or another folder in the ACTSHARE folder on the server. Be sure to attach the file through the mapped drive.
-" target="_blank">http://itdomino.act.com/act.nsf/docid/20027211170?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=-3#_Section3" target=_self>-Novell Storage Solutions

Databases running across a Novell network can get confused when running Novell Storage Solutions (NSS). Novell Storage Solutions is a file system for Web storage.

Novell 6.x
Novell 6.x by default creates NSS volumes. In order to get an ACT! database to function on a Novell 6.x Server, you need to create a Novell "Traditional" Volume to store the ACT! database in. Novell "Traditional" volumes do not behave like NSS Volumes do.

Novell 5.x
Novell 5.x use "Traditional" Volumes by default. The administrator needs to make sure that the (SYS Vol) needs to be a traditional volume. If you plan on using an NSS volume for NSS, you need to make sure you also set aside a "Traditional" Volume for the ACT! database.

Option: Common Internet File System (CIFS) Volume
This configuration has not been tested by ACT!, but has been used with some success by ACT! Certified Consultants (ACCs).
Run Native File Access Protocol (NFAP) on the NSS volume. This makes the volume a CIFS volume, and will therefore be seen in Network Neighborhood (or My Network Places) as a Microsoft server and volume. Map a drive letter to this volume. Next, relocate the ACT! database to this drive, and access it as normal. Some ACCs report this method runs considerably faster than using a Traditional volume.
-" target="_blank">http://itdomino.act.com/act.nsf/docid/20027211170?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=-4#_Section4" target=_self>-Configuring Novell 32-bit Client Driver

You will need to modify the Clients Advanced settings by doing the following procedures. Choose the one appropriate for your version of Windows.
    Windows XP/2000
    You will need to modify the Clients Advanced settings by doing the following procedure:
      1. Exit all programs.
      2. Open Windows Explorer by right-clicking on the Windows Start button, then selecting Explore.
      3. In the left-hand pane, right-click on 'My Network Places' and select Properties from the pop-up menu.
      4. Right-click on the Local Area Connection that connects to the NetWare server, then select Properties from the pop-up menu.
      5. In the Network Properties window, double-click on the Client32 for NetWare Client (or select it and click Properties).
      6. Select the Advanced tab and ensure the following settings are in effect:

      cache writes=off
      file cache level=0
      true commit=on
      set packet burst=off

      7. Click OK to close the Network Properties window, and then restart the computer.

      Note: You must restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

      Caution: If using Windows XP, you must update your Novell Client for Windows XP to 4.83 (or later). Versions previous, including 4.820 beta, have known issues with ACT! databases.
    Windows Me/98/95
    You will need to modify the Clients Advanced settings by doing the following procedure:
      1. Exit all programs.
      2. Open Windows Explorer by right-clicking on the Windows Start button, then selecting Explore.
      3. In the left-hand pane, right-click the either "Network Neighborhood" or "My Network Places" (this varies with different versions of Windows), and select Properties from the pop-up menu.
      4. Double-click on the Client 32 NetWare Client (or select it and click Properties).
      5. Select the Advanced tab and ensure the following settings are in effect:

      cache writes=off
      file cache level=0
      true commit=on
      set packet burst=off

      6. Click OK to close the Advanced tab, and then restart the computer.

      Note: You must restart the computer for the changes to take effect.
    -" target="_blank">http://itdomino.act.com/act.nsf/docid/20027211170?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=-5#_Section5" target=_self>-Disabling Opportunistic Locking

    Novell Netware Servers
    As of Novell Netware SP5 and above, Novell Netware Servers now use opportunistic locking files. To disable this feature, issue the following command to your Novell Server.
        ? Set client file caching enabled=off

        Netware will then ask you to confirm the command.
        Novell Clients
        Please refer to the "Configuring Novell 32-bit Client Driver" section earlier in this document.

        Note: For more information about opportunistic locking please contact Novell Technical Support.
        -" target="_blank">http://itdomino.act.com/act.nsf/docid/20027211170?OpenDocument&ExpandSection=-6#_Section6" target=_self>-Troubleshooting

        Error Message: "An Error Occurred while Opening this Database. It may be Damaged, or Missing a Component. Do You Want to Try to Restore the Database?"
        This error occurs normally when you are trying to run Novell "Real Mode" (Commonly considered DOS Drivers). The solution is to remove the "Real Mode" drivers and install drivers either from Novell's web site or from the Windows 98/95 CD.

        Downloading from Novell's Web Site:
        Notes:
          • You may need to have your Windows 98/95 CD available in order to install the update. You will be prompted for it if it is needed.
          • The newest versions of the Novell Client enables opportunistic locking by default. Please refer to the previous steps on how to disable opportunistic locking on the Novell Client.
          1. Download the updated driver from http://www.novell.com/download/. It will be located under the Clients-Network category. As of July, 2002, the current driver file for Windows 98/95 is "Client v3.32 for Windows 98/95 English."
          2. When prompted for a location to save the download to, it is recommended that you save it to a folder on your hard drive, other than the Windows Desktop folder. This is due to the large number of files that will be extracted.
          3. Locate and double-click the file you have downloaded. It will self-extract into a number of files.
          4. Double-click the resulting Setup.exe file, and proceed with the installation. The Typical Install should work for most installations.
          5. When the installation is complete, follow the prompt to restart your computer.
        Installing Windows 98/95 Clients from the Windows CD
        Notes:
          • You should install the drivers from the Windows 98/95 CD only if you do not have Internet access. If you do have Internet access, we recommend that you follow the instructions in the previous section.
          • To be able to install the Novell NetWare drivers from the CD, your version of Windows needs to be 4.00.950B or greater. To check this, please follow these steps:
              1. Click the Windows Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
              2. Double-click the System icon.
              3. On the General tab, your Windows version is listed on the second line under System.

              Make sure that it is version 4.00.950B or greater. If it is, go on to the next section. If it is not, you will need to download the file from Novell's web site.
        Removing and Installing Drivers
        Remove the clients that are causing the problem, and then install updated clients by following these steps:
          1. Click the Windows Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
          2. Double-click Network. The Network dialog appears.
          3. On the Configuration tab, in the list of installed components, look for the incompatible client. Two of the clients that are known to cause problems are (you will only see one or the other):

          Novell NetWare Workstation Shell 3.X (NETX)
          Novell NetWare Workstation Shell 4.0 and higher (VLM)

          4. Select the client and click Remove.
          5. Click Add, and then double-click Client. The Select Network Client dialog appears.
          6. In the Manufactures list box, select Microsoft.
          7. In the Network Clients list box, select Client for NetWare Networks.
          8. Click OK and follow any prompts. This will copy and install files from the Windows 98/95 CD.
          • If you have a server running Novell NetWare 4.0, you will also need to install the Service for NetWare Directory Services. Go on to step 9.
          • If you do not have a server running Novell NetWare 4.0, click OK to save, and exit the Control Panel.
          9. While still on the Configuration tab, click Add, and then double-click Services.
          10. In the Manufactures list box, select Microsoft.
          11. In the Network Services list box, select Service for NetWare Directory Services
          12. Click OK and follow any prompts. This will copy and install files from the Windows 98/95 CD.

        Problem: Inserting a Record Takes an Abnormally Long Time
        This can occur if Norton AntiVirus is installed on the Novell Server, and is scanning all files. If Norton AntiVirus is scanning all files, either move the database to another folder and do not scan that folder or add all the extensions that an ACT! database uses as exceptions to Norton AntiVirus. Scanning the database files every time the database is accessed will tremendously slow operations in ACT!

        For more information contact         Symantec about Norton AntiVirus.
          Error Message: "Cannot Open Database Already Open by Existing User"
          This message is often due to not running the updated Novell Client32 drivers for Windows XP. Client Versions previous to 4.83 have known issues with ACT! Databases.

          .

          document

          Document Title: Only the first user of ACT!2000 can open database files.
          Document ID: 10068297
          Solution ID: NOVL71839
          Creation Date: 13Feb2002
          Modified Date: 25Nov2002
          Novell Product Class:NetWare

          disclaimer

          The Origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. Novell makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information. However, the information provided in this document is for your information only. Novell makes no explicit or implied claims to the validity of this information.
          Any trademarks referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark information.