Error: “Unable to get exclusive database access” (CIRCLY 5.x)

CIRCLY uses two database files, LOADS.mdb and LAYERS.mdb to store nearly all the data such as material properties and load data.

The database files are managed by the Microsoft Jet database engine.

Although theoretically these files can be shared by multiple users, the version of CIRCLY that you are using is configured for single user (i.e. exclusive) operation.

CIRCLY is reporting that one or both of the database files has/have already been opened.
This condition can arise for a number of reasons:

  • Another process or user has the database open (see Sharing Problems below)
  • The database may have not have correct permissions
  • The database may be corrupt

Sharing Problems

Read What is an .LDB File?

Check if there are .ldb file(s) in the same folder as the .mdb files. If there are, delete them. You may need to reboot to delete them.

Security Settings and Share Settings

If you are working on a Network, get your IT Administrator to check the following:

For databases on network computers, go to the level that is shared. Usually that is an entire drive. Right click on it and select “Sharing and Security”. Make sure “Share this folder” is selected and there is a share name that does not have a dollar sign ($) behind it in the drop down box. (The dollar sign share is a default share for administrator only.) If there is not one, add it. Select a share without a dollar sign. Select permissions. Make sure the users that will be using the DB have change and read permissions.

Then right click on the folder(s) that contain the database(s) and select “Sharing and Security”. Select security. Make sure the users have read, write, modify, and read & execute permissions. Select advanced. Edit the users that will access the databases. Make sure they have create files and delete permissions.

Then right click on the the database(s) and select “Sharing and Security”. Select security. Make sure the users have read, write, modify, and read & execute permissions.

Database Corruption

If you still cannot open it, the database may be corrupt.

Install CIRCLY on another PC. Copy the CIRCLY data files to another PC (instructions here), and see if you can view the data from CIRCLY on that PC.

Do you have a backup that you can restore from?

If are still stuck, email your data files to Mincad Systems.