[GNC] Unable to modify existing database

[Stan Brown]

Usually "unable to obtain a lock" means that the previous instance of
GnuCash crashed or was force-stopped. But you say that didn't happen,
and if it had then you would not get the "unable to create a backup"
error when trying to save the file.

That error suggests that for some reason you do not have the ability to
write to the directory (in Windows, "folder") where your main GnuCash
data file lives. It could be a permissions problem,  or it could be that
the disk is full -- anything that prevents files from being written.

If my analysis is right, you get "unable to obtain the lock" because
GnuCash is unable to create the .lck file -- again pointing to
permissions problem in that directory or folder.

-- 
Regards,
Stan Brown
Tompkins County, New York, USA
https://BrownMath.com
http://OakRoadSystems.com


On 2019-09-25 12:48, Sadhna True wrote:
> When I open GnuCash, I get the error message "unable to obtain a lock." I have searched for a .lck file, but none exists. I selected "Open Anyway" and tried to make changes to my accounts. I cannot save those changes because then I get the error message "unable to create a backup."
> 
> I have read all of the documentation, but cannot find a solution that works. I don't know of any instance where GnuCash closed inappropriately or crashed.
> 
> I updated to Version 3.7, hoping that would eliminate the problem.
> 
> Please tell me what to do to get rid of these error messages!
> 
> Sadhna G. True
> sadhnatrue at hotmail.com
> Mobile:  (859) 221-6064