Solved: File Locking not working - able to open files that are open on others' computers

tim312324 · ‎01-24-2023

Hello,

My coworkers and I are running into an issue where file-locking is not functioning as it should. We are consistently able to fully open files that should be locked without the read-only dialogue box popping up. This is occurring when opening files from file explorer, file->open, and SSM. WHOHAS returns a value of user:unknown

Autocad does not take any ownership over the file locking and has told me this is a Windows problem. I have tried entering the Registry editor and changing the autodisconnect parameter to 960 but this hasn't solved the issue.

We are using Autocad 2014 and Autocad 2023, and we are running it on Windows 10 pro. If anybody has had a similar experience, I would like to know your workaround as this has really thrown a wrench in our workflow.

pendean · ‎01-24-2023

Greetings @tim312324

File Locking like that is done by the Operating System where the files reside in in conjunction with your Win10 clients, not AutoCAD. There is no AutoCAD solution.

Where do you store your shared files exactly? The wrong answers (aka no solutions exist) would be cloud-based file services and many NAS drives, and some other non-traditional file sharing methods.

Let us know the full story please.

TheCADnoob · ‎01-24-2023

As @pendean mentioned (as well as your self), This is not an AutoCAD issue - https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/File-l...

This link below seems to have the answer (at least for some other people)-

"Long story short, the GPO for the mapped network drive was set to "Replace." By changing that setting to "Update," the Windows 10 machines now seem to be holding file locks indefinitely as they should."

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/2bc009d5-a0f9-4d38-b01c-3ec8c7a0dd04/windows-10-cl...

CADnoob

tim312324 · ‎01-24-2023

Hi, thanks for your quick response. I am not an "IT" person so please excuse my ignorance in describing the setup.

We have a shared local "Drobo" server that is hard-wired to our machines. From a quick search, it seems like this could be an NAS server (I do not know the distinction). This issue does not occur every time we open an opened file, but it does occur very often.

pendean · ‎01-24-2023

@tim312324 wrote:

We have a shared local "Drobo" server that is hard-wired to our machines. From a quick search, it seems like this could be an NAS server (I do not know the distinction). This issue does not occur every time we open an opened file, but it does occur very often.

If it happens only sometimes but not all the time or on demand, or it happens all the time, I suggest you reach out to the "Drobo" support team for help, and engage an IT person on your end to help as well https://myproducts.drobo.com/support (looks to require registration, it might be a pay-to-play scenario, not sure). It might be as simple as tweaking user profile settings or flipping some server software switch to another fix.

Here is what Autodesk says about NAS drives (I grasp from the language used they politely refuse to deal with them at all) https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Autodesk...

cmckillipHFDWW · ‎06-28-2024

did you find a fix? I am having this issue.

pendean · ‎06-28-2024

@cmckillipHFDWW wrote:
did you find a fix? I am having this issue.

File Locking is controlled by where you store your DWG files: where is that please?

And what did your IT person offer up for a fix so far?

cmckillipHFDWW · ‎06-28-2024

We have the files stored on a server, IT wants me to use a file locking software or AutoCad Cloud.

Files lock when opened - Windows releases the files when timed out.

So If I am working on a file, Get up and pee - Another user can open the file after a set amount of time.

Happens randomly. I think its a problem in the permissions for each user profile.

pendean · ‎06-28-2024

@cmckillipHFDWW wrote:
...Windows releases the files when timed out. ...

Why is the connection to the files timing out? Are you all on Wifi?

A pay-to-use-by-the-minute connection?

A setting on the NAS appliance to turn on permanently so it does not fall asleep/snooze?

Shaky or bad wires connecting to NAS appliance?

Shaky or old or ancient HUB connection that probably needs to change to a SWITCH instead?

Yep, nothing in any Autodesk program is going to resolve that issue. Sorry.

cmckillipHFDWW · ‎06-28-2024

Hard wired

Architectural Firm with 10 users having the same problem

I dont have a NAS - Its was replaced with a Server thus the new issue.

Server is in a Rack - no shacky wires, also new

Using a Cisco Meraki 24 port - also new.

pendean · ‎06-28-2024

@cmckillipHFDWW wrote:
Hard wired
Architectural Firm with 10 users having the same problem
I dont have a NAS - Its was replaced with a Server thus the new issue.
Server is in a Rack - no shacky wires, also new
Using a Cisco Meraki 24 port - also new.

So why the "me too" reply to a different unrelated post that is using only a NAS drive?

Your "other" post has a detailed reply, it states you use a NAS appliance, I'm sorry if you are contracted with an IT group that cannot help, your issue has nothing to do with controls or settings you're going to easily find fishing on the web sadly my friend

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/installation-licensing/file-locking-issues-autocad-architecture/m-p/1...

And I'm also not sure about yet another older post of yours that also seems identical

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-lt-forum/file-lock-randomly-not-working-with-dwg-files/td-p/1...