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Database updates & viewing with multiple users
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:31 am
by bookkeeper-sheila
(Version 11 with maintenance releases)
Our church now has two users entering in membership info into the database, which is stored on a separate computer (our "server"). We are finding that only one can be in at a time doing updates. When one person is updating, the other can type but then at the save point is kicked out of powerchurch with an error that there is not enough disk space; The latter must then re-login and retype information when the other person is not in the module. Is there a way around this? perhaps a network setup?
Also, we are thinking of adding the administrators of the preschool as users, but to view the database only. If we do this, will it slow Powerchurch down? If they are viewing a record, will it lock everyone else out of the membership module???
Just wondering...these are wonderful growing pains for us...
Re: Database updates & viewing with multiple users
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 12:33 pm
by NeilZ
bookkeeper-sheila wrote:(Version 11 with maintenance releases)
Our church now has two users entering in membership info into the database, which is stored on a separate computer (our "server"). We are finding that only one can be in at a time doing updates. When one person is updating, the other can type but then at the save point is kicked out of powerchurch with an error that there is not enough disk space; The latter must then re-login and retype information when the other person is not in the module. Is there a way around this? perhaps a network setup?
Also, we are thinking of adding the administrators of the preschool as users, but to view the database only. If we do this, will it slow Powerchurch down? If they are viewing a record, will it lock everyone else out of the membership module???
Just wondering...these are wonderful growing pains for us...
This sound like a file locking issue, but additional information can help:
1: What Operating System is the 'server' using?
2: Did you use the network setup as shown here:
http://www.powerchurch.com/support/kb/k ... icle_id=33
Plenty of users are doing exactly what you're doing without problem, so I do suspect a setup issue.
As to your last question, there will be some slowdown, but it should be negligible as it would be due to hard disk access as well as network speed.
Re: Database updates & viewing with multiple users
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:23 am
by Tracy
bookkeeper-sheila wrote:(Version 11 with maintenance releases)
Our church now has two users entering in membership info into the database, which is stored on a separate computer (our "server"). We are finding that only one can be in at a time doing updates. When one person is updating, the other can type but then at the save point is kicked out of powerchurch with an error that there is not enough disk space; The latter must then re-login and retype information when the other person is not in the module. Is there a way around this? perhaps a network setup?
This happens when the server has the "Enable write caching on the device" Policy set in Disk Management for the hard drive the data exists on. If you are uncertain about what to change, you'll need to speak with a local computer person to verify this setting is turned off.
This can also be caused by anti-virus programs occasionally locking files when it is changed. The best thing is to set exclusions for the PowerChurch folder, and for the following extensions: *.DBF, *.CDX, *.FPT, *.PCA.
This can also be caused by on demand back up utilities. If you have an on demand back up, change it to back up the PowerChurch folder after the people that usually access the data have gone home. Many of these utilities will lock the file preventing writes, as the back up the file.
Re: Database updates & viewing with multiple users
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:33 am
by bookkeeper-sheila
Thanks to both of you...I will troubleshoot and reply back when I can...