Quickbooks access by multiple user problem

First, if one QB client is in single user mode, no one else can use QuickBooks. It has always been this way with QuickBooks.

Second, it appears you have Host Mode set on each client. That is why they are all trying to be servers. Go to each client, set to Multi User and turn off Host Mode (under utilities in the File menu I think in QB Enterprise).

Multi User / Host mode OFF and you should be good to go. Make sure you scanned for the ledger with the server manager.  

... Thinkpads_User

multi user is under file->Utility, but i can't see Host mode. could you please tell me where is that option.

just to give your review, i have three machines A, B C
A is set to Multi user access, (act as a server)
B anc C are set to Single user mode (client)

is that correct?

First, all of the machines must be Multi User Access. Any one machine set to single prevents all other users form accessing. So be sure all machines are multi user. File -> Switch to Multi User access. The ledger on the first machine must be opened to set this. Then set the other machines.

Now, with respect Hosted Access or Mode, it is also on the File menu. File -> Utlities -> Host Multi User Access. Turn that off.

.. Thinkpads_User

it seams your the only one that could get me to the write place, but i would appreciate if you could explain what you meant, it is clear but i am confusing my self.

as you said,
1- I set the Hosting machine to Multi-User mode, just to confirm it is now showing (Stop hosting Multi-user Access), that is means it is multi mode. and opened the file on the local machine. the ND file is
ServerIP=10.1.3.34  (local computer ip)
ServerPort=55338
filePath=C:\.....\db.QBW
ServerMode=1
FileConnectionGuid=771d....etc

2-i opened a client computer and set it to Multi-user mode (before opening the db.QBW file). then opened the file on the shared driver.  Again i got error message:
((it may have been opend by another user, you should ask that user to switch to multi-user mode so you can both use the company file at the same time......-6073,-99001).

what could be causing this?

Let us start first with Host mode.

Host mode is a different way of sharing ledgers than the server manager. You are using the server manager. So go to each machine and click on Stop hosting Multi-user Access. You do not want this set on any machine. To say this again in a different way, you do not want a Hosting machine. Turn all that off on all machines.

Now, Multi User mode is different. Go to the main machine (what you called Hosting machine) and again, just ensure that Host Multi User Access is not on. Now make sure no ledger is open (File -> Close Company) but do not close or exit QuickBooks.  See there is a dialogue box with big buttons. Select (click on) Open Company. Now navigate to the server and open the ledger on the server.   Now:  File -> Switch to Multi-User mode. (do not go to Utilities). Based on your first post, I assume the ledger opens.

Now go to another machine. Open QuickBooks. If it opened a ledger, it may or may not be in the right place. File -> Close Company. Make sure (File -> Utilities that Host Multi-User access is not enabled). In the dialogue box, click on the big Open Company button. Navigate to the server. Try to open a ledger. It may just open (already in Multi-User mode) or it may say it needs to open in Multi-User mode. Click OK and the ledger should open. Now you have the ledger on the server open by two computers.

Do this for the remaining computers.

Summary: On all computers in QB: File -> Utilities, make sure Host Multi-User Access is NOT enabled. On all computers in QB: File Switch to Multi-User mode must be enabled. That is, it should say Switch to Single User mode (but don't).

I assume you have run the Server Manager and scanned for the ledger (per your first post).

.. Thinkpads_User

I want to offer an alternative point of view here.

If you do not wish to use the Server Manager (you said you did), you can can uninstall it and then use Hosting mode.

On the main computer, enable hosting mode:  File -> Utilities -> Host Multi-User Access.  On this computer, open the ledger locally on the local PC and then File Switch to Multi-User mode.

Now on the other computers, open QB, open Company File and point to the main computer above. Now open in Muti-User mode. But like above, these other computers are not Hosting Multi-User Access.

This is a different way than my earlier post. ... Thinkpads_User

I did both ways as you recommend:

1- using server manager
- Opened Quickbook Database Server manager->Add folder->select folder were db.QBW file located->scan
This will create a file called db.ND with IP of that machine (server) and port 10180
-from both clients I switch to single mode from (file->Utilities->clicked on Stop Hosting Multi-User Access.  
Again one machine can login another same error (cannot login because other use.....)

2-another scenario, I used Hosting mode, and removed Server Manager.
-on the main computer enabled hosting mode  File -> Utilities -> Host Multi-User Access. opened db.QBW file on the local PC.
-on the other computer I enabled multi mode File -> Utilities -> click on Host Multi-User, this will set them to multi mode too.  and opened file from the shared driver (server).
Message getting is can’t open error message, already open.
Is it correct stops. Is some thing wrong with my configuration?
by the way do you mean by ledge the database file (QBW).

As I have noted, the two methods (Hosted Access and Server Manager) do not go together at the same time. According to all above, you have a Server and so let us focus on Server Manager.

1. The Server Manager must be installed on the server and the ledger (the .QBW file) must be located on the same logical drive on the server as the server manager. I got the feeling from the prior post you were trying to run the server manager from a workstation.

2. Ignore the .ND files. They will get created alongside the .QBW file and you do not need to pay any particular attention to them. Focus on the .QBW file.

3. I don't understand number 1 above. By all means, on the main machine, click on Stop Hosting Multi-User Access. But do not click on Single User mode. This is, I think, why you are getting the error.

So make sure you are running Server Manager on your Server, scan for the ledger on the Server, connect up the main machine (which has Stopped Hosting Multi-User Access) and open the ledger (the .QBW) file on the server. Once open do Ctrl-1, look at the screen that opens and verify the ledger is located on the server.

Now, on this same workstation, if File shows that you can Switch to Multi_User mode, then switch. This is not hosted access.

Now see if the other machines can log on.

If not, you may be at a point where you need to uninstall QB on all machines and start again.
... Thinkpads_User

the server manager is insalled on windows xp, does it have to be windows server?

You cannot install the server manager on a desktop and keep the ledger (.QBW) file on a server. It just will not work (as you have discovered). And, yes, the Server must be a Windows Server.

You can consider putting the ledger on a PC, but with QB Enterprise 10 user, it will be deathly slow (perhaps even too slow to use). ... Thinkpads_User

that might be my connection problem, i will try with windows server, and tell you what happen,
again thanks for your continues help

Let us know how you make out. With respect to the Windows Server:

1. Install just the Server Manager on the Server (not QuickBooks itself).
2. Keep the ledger on the same logical drive.
3. Scan for the ledger (.QBW file) with the Server Manager
4. Start up a QuickBooks client, turn off Host Multi-User Access, use the Open Company dialogue box to navigate to the ledger on the server and open.
5. Make sure the PC above is in Multi-User mode (different from Hosted Access).
6. Start up the other clients.

... Thinkpads_User

just to make it clear no. (5. Make sure the PC above is in Multi-User mode (different from Hosted Access).  you mean the Server is in it? because at number 4 you said turn off Host Multi-User Access on client machines.

Hosted Access is a method for a PC to host the ledger (.QBW) file for other PC's. You are not doing that because you are using a Server and Server Manager. So turn off Hosted Access.

Now on the File Menu (before going into Utilities) there should be a selection that says "Switch to Single User mode" or "Switch to Multi-User mode" . It is a toggle. This selection allows multiple users to work on the same ledger (.QBW file). Technically, it does not matter whether the ledger is hosted on a Server (Server Manager) or hosted on a PC (Hosted Access). Look carefully at the File Menu and you should see this. I am looking at QuickBooks Premier and don't have access to QuickBooks Enterprise at this time.

... Thinkpads_User

I have reviewed your steps, and did what you told me, the problem was; I didn’t set the File->switch to multi-user mode after opening the file.   But concerning Database Server manager, I managed to install it on windows XP and it worked.  It is working now, I tried to install Database Server Manager on linux server but I couldn’t, I am not sure if it works with linux.  Any way thank you so much for your help without you I would have been lost.

thanks again