OSX Server problem

[Albone]

I have a mac OS X Server running 10.1.5 with 256 mb of ram (the really loud one because of the fan) and I have 6 mac's networked to it.

Right now, when any of us try to overwrite something on the server, we get an error message about it being in use, when its not. This occurs whether we are working off of a file from the server or on our own desktop and then, drag and drop to the server.

Most of the time these files are Quark and Photoshop files, ranging from 144k to 80MB.

Can anyone tell me what I can do to fix this problem?

Normally, I wouldn't encourage working off of the server, but there are benefits from it.

Thanks greatly,

Albone

 

[Calliander]

Re: OSX Server problem

Originally posted by Albone
I have a mac OS X Server running 10.1.5 with 256 mb of ram (the really loud one because of the fan) and I have 6 mac's networked to it.

Right now, when any of us try to overwrite something on the server, we get an error message about it being in use, when its not. This occurs whether we are working off of a file from the server or on our own desktop and then, drag and drop to the server.

Most of the time these files are Quark and Photoshop files, ranging from 144k to 80MB.

Can anyone tell me what I can do to fix this problem?

Normally, I wouldn't encourage working off of the server, but there are benefits from it.

Thanks greatly,

Albone

This doesn't sound like a permissions issue, but I would make sure that everything is okay there, as well.

I'm having a little trouble trying to picture this in my head, so let me know if I'm correct here:

• Users are opening files directly off of the server in Quark or Photoshop or etc.
• Users are then trying to save the file directly to the server OR saving the file to a local location and then attempting to copy the file to the server.
• A message saying that the file is in use appears, preventing the saving or copying.

Has this always been a problem, or did it work and then stop working suddenly? If the latter is the case, did it stop working after addition of new software or the application of an update to the server or to the client machines? Have there been any hardware upgrades?

I hope I can be of service. Let me know if I'm correct.

 

[Albone]

Re: Re: OSX Server problem

Originally posted by Calliander
This doesn't sound like a permissions issue, but I would make sure that everything is okay there, as well.

I'm having a little trouble trying to picture this in my head, so let me know if I'm correct here:

• Users are opening files directly off of the server in Quark or Photoshop or etc.
• Users are then trying to save the file directly to the server OR saving the file to a local location and then attempting to copy the file to the server.
• A message saying that the file is in use appears, preventing the saving or copying.

Has this always been a problem, or did it work and then stop working suddenly? If the latter is the case, did it stop working after addition of new software or the application of an update to the server or to the client machines? Have there been any hardware upgrades?

I hope I can be of service. Let me know if I'm correct.

Thanks for replying Calliander.

On your bullet points:

1. Yes, you are right.
2. Again, you are right.
3. Right on again. Also, the file on the server that I'm trying to overwrite gets terribly corrupted. I can't open that file from the server anymore after that.

This maybe happened once or twice before we got our OS X Server. No upgrades to hardware, or software. Running 10.1.5 and this thing is LOUD. I hear later versions have quieter fans, but I'm pretty much stuck with this noisy thing.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Calliander]

Re: Re: Re: OSX Server problem

Originally posted by Albone
Thanks for replying Calliander.

On your bullet points:

1. Yes, you are right.
2. Again, you are right.
3. Right on again. Also, the file on the server that I'm trying to overwrite gets terribly corrupted. I can't open that file from the server anymore after that.

This maybe happened once or twice before we got our OS X Server. No upgrades to hardware, or software. Running 10.1.5 and this thing is LOUD. I hear later versions have quieter fans, but I'm pretty much stuck with this noisy thing.

Thanks again for the help.

What happens if you save the files locally, quit the application, and then try to copy to the server?

If you're still getting the error after quitting the program, that's an interesting issue. The server is still thinking that the file is open and the problem either resides there or a client machine actually IS accessing the file (though, it sounds like you've checked that already).

If it's server-side, you might want to try making a new share point and seeing if the error occurs trying to save there.

If the error still occurs after making a new share point, I would suggest finding a reseller that does on-site work to come out and troubleshoot the problem further. (It would be a pain to truck your Xserve down to the Apple Store or reseller, and it would also let them have access to all the variables.) Let them know the steps you've taken. You might get some hesitation due to 10.1.5 Server, by the way. Find a place that sounds knowledgeable.

Also, regarding the noisy Xserves, you should hear the new 56dB, 4800RPM processor fan I bought for my PC.

 

[ColdZero]

Are you running a time server on the server? If not check the time on the XServer and the time on the clients. Make sure you are either running a time server on the xserver and that is updating from the time server from apple or the navy and make sure the clients are doing the same. If the times are outta wack, that would explain some of the still think things are open thing.

 

[daquake]

erm

I doubt time has anything to do with it. IT doesn't record times to use for reference. I'll be the ******* here and say 10.1 is pry a big factor, in terms of networking technology, 10.2 and 10.3 are much superior.

I'd look at any machines having the file open when trying to replace, or if the Server itself does.

• Turn off all computers, but the server and one station.
• Close all programs on the Server except the Finder
• Try to drag a copy of the file from one place on the drive to the share point (replacing it)

If it didn't work, back the files up, format the drive and reinstall (hopefully upgrade to Jag or Pan while you're at it)
If it works :

• Mount the share point and do the same thing on the other computer

If it didn't work, try making a new share point or just upgrading the server (AFS in 10.2/3 is so much better)
If it did:

• Open the file with Quark on the station and work on it remotely, try to save.

If it didn't work, then see if Quark has some weird way of copying networked files to a local cache while keeping the original open, it might create that weird error.
If not, then someone if accessing those files or folders while others are trying to work on em.

Let me know anymore, I'll try and help