OL98: File Locking Issue With Novell Client 32 (182885)

WARNING: The information in this article has not been confirmed or tested by Microsoft. Some or all of the information in this article has been taken from unconfirmed customer reports. ANY USE BY YOU OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. Microsoft provides this information "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.

NOTE: These procedures only apply if you have installed Outlook with the Corporate Workgroup/Other option. This option allows you to use Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) services. To determine your installation type, on the Help Menu click About Microsoft Outlook. In About Microsoft Outlook you should see "Corporate" if you have the Corporate Workgroup installation.

SYMPTOMS

When attempting to open a file on a Novell NetWare network share, you may receive the following error message:

The file \<path>\filename.xxx could not be accessed because another workstation has modified it.

CAUSE

This error occurs under the following conditions:

You are using Novell's NetWare Client 32 for Windows 95, version 2.11.
A program marked for recording in the Microsoft Outlook 98 Journal, saved the file.

This behavior occurs even if Outlook is closed, because the Journal feature monitors activity for the program at all times.

RESOLUTION

In Outlook, turn off Journal for the program in question.

-or-

Wait until the Novell Client releases the Duplicate Handle Function before reopening the file.

-or-

Install the Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks.

MORE INFORMATION

Turn Off Journaling for the Program

On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Preferences tab, click Journal Options.
In the "Also record files from" list, click to clear the check box for the program in question, and then click OK twice.

Wait for the Duplicate Handle Function to Release

There is a period of time after which the Novell client releases the Duplicate Handle Function. After this time the problem does not occur. We have not determined this period.

Install the Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks

Click the Start button, point to Settings and click Control Panel.
In Control Panel, double-click the Network icon and on the Configuration tab, click Add.
Click to select Client, and then click Add.
Click to select Microsoft, click to select "Client for NetWare Networks," and then click OK.

REFERENCES

For another issue with Novell NetWare Client 32, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

156995 XCLN: PST File Cannot Be Accessed Running NetWare Client 32