Central File Syncing Issues

[Revit User 1]

Hi,

We are having major issues syncing to a Central Revit file located on a server.
There are about 3-4 of us working off the Central file at one time.
I make the file using the correct procedure (create the worksets, save the file to the correct location with the appropriate suffix CENTRAL).

Some of us are using Windows XP and others are using Windows 7. The users who experience the most problems are on Windows XP.
Do you think that this could be the problem? As I have exhausted most other trouble shooting steps.

Main issues are not being able to sync (File Not Saved errors) and generally not being able to move elements for users in Windows XP.

Thanks!

[cdatechguy]

What size is the central file? My guess is your XP machines don't have the ram to cover for the size of the central...

I don't allow anyone to work on my projects if they have an XP machine....unless its for creating details.

[Revit User 1]

The file is 20mb so not too large. But I do think your right.
Although they are doing details, (internal elevations).

Someone else has mentioned making the worksets non-editable:
"another thing to look at is to make sure your worksets are set to Non-editable (no). if a user is set to editable (yes) they are the owner of the workset and other users will not be able to move (edit) elements on that work."

I will try this soon and post back my findings.

Thanks

[Revit User 1]

Ah sorry, they are set to non-editable.

[rosskirby]

Could you post the exact error message that they're getting when they try and sync?

[Revit User 1]

The main issue really isn't an error message as such. It just hangs there saying that it "the Central file is being accessed by someone else."
You can certainly wait for this to finish but it takes a long time - way too long. The main problem being this happens frequently whenever something is deleted or moved etc. You basically just can't work in it.
Again only for the people using Windows XP.

[renogreen]

Could this possibly have something to do with 32 bit and 64 bit machines working on the same project?

[cdatechguy]

The main issue really isn't an error message as such. It just hangs there saying that it "the Central file is being accessed by someone else."
You can certainly wait for this to finish but it takes a long time - way too long. The main problem being this happens frequently whenever something is deleted or moved etc. You basically just can't work in it.
Again only for the people using Windows XP.

Umm....it happens when everyone is on Windows 7 too....and your trying to sync to a central file that is 200+ megs. I recommend downloading the Worksharing Monitor (if 2011)..that way you can see who is trying to save the same time you are trying to save. I froze up everyone for 5 minutes yesterday when I was trying to save and two other people saved at the same time.

[patricks]

OP said 20 not 200... 20 MB is very small for a Revit project. 200 is another story, and I'd say it's darn near impossible to work in a 200 MB file on a 32-bit machine, workshared or not.

OP make sure all users access the central file on the server in the same way, i.e. either through a mapped drive (Z:\folder\folder) or thru UNC path (\\server\folder\folder). Everyone must access it in the same way for the Central file to play nice with everyone else.

[DaveP]

AND make sure everyone is Opening the "Central" file from Revit's Open dialog.
If someone thinks they are saving time, and Opening by double-clicking the .rvt from Windows Explorer, they are opening the actual Central File - not a Local Copy.