Error 3027: Cannot update. Database or object is read-only.
Error 3051: ...cannot open or write to the file...
Error 3073: Operation must use an updateable query.

These errors are displayed whenever ChurchTrac can't write data to a file. The factors that cause this error may vary from computer to computer. Here's a list of the most common causes for these errors:

• Computer backup programs which scan your computer and attempt to upload or backup any files that are modified. Often this backup process will initiate when ChurchTrac is still performing read or write operations on a database file, which results in a permission-related error (ChurchTrac cannot update or modify a file that is in use by another application). This is a known issue with backup programs, including:
  • Carbonite
  • Memeo
  • McAfee Online Backup
  • Norton Online Backup
  • Dropbox
  • Dell DataSafe
  • Windows Live Sync
  • Windows Live Mesh
  • External Hard Drives with Automatic Backup

  Click on this link to see How to Disable Carbonite from Backing Up ChurchTrac Folders

  External hard drives also frequently employ their own software for backing up data. Typically, if your backup software is set to back up on a schedule, or daily, then this will not cause errors in ChurchTrac. It is only when the backup software immediately attempts to backup files that have been modified.

We recommend that you change your software to back up on a daily basis, or on a schedule. This should minimize the conflict between ChurchTrac and your backup application. We also strongly recommend that you disable backups on the following folders.

• The folder where your data file is located. This is typically your Shared or Public Documents\ChurchTrac folder. To verifiy the location of your data file, open ChurchTrac, click on Utilities, then Data File.

Note: It is important to disable backups on the entire folder, not just the data file. Also, it is possible that your Data file is not located in this default location. You can verify the location of your data file by opening ChurchTrac and clicking on Utilities, then Data File.

• The AppData Folder. The AppData folder is where the ChurchTrac program and settings files reside, and also where the data sharing files are processed. If you use Vista or Windows 7, you can access this folder by clicking Start, then type %APPDATA% in the search box and press Enter. This opens a new window that should contain multiple folders. You will want to disable automatic backups for the ChurchTrac folder inside your AppData folder.

Note: This only disables backup for the ChurchTrac AppData folder. To ensure this issue does not affect your other applications, or to further assist with permission errors in ChurchTrac, you might also consider disabling backups for the entire AppData folder and subfolders.

You may need to wait a few minutes for your changes to be effective with your backup software. A computer restart may also be necessary.

• Security or Antivirus software. Some security software may also cause permission-related errors for the same reasons as backup software causes these errors (ChurchTrac cannot process a file if it is being processed or scanned by another application). This typically will only happen when your security software is set to the highest or most aggressive scanning method, or when your security software requires you to approve changes that are being made to files on your computer. To prevent permission-related errors, you may need to adjust the settings in your security software, or add exceptions for the folders mentioned above. Spybot - Search & Destroy (TeaTimer) is an example of this type of security software.

• A standard or limited user account may not be able to write data to all folders. Try using an Administrator account and see if that resolves the problem.
  
  
• Files or folders marked as "Read Only." Check to make sure the folders mentioned above (including the files in those folders) are not marked as "Read Only". To do this, right-click on the file or folder and choose Properties. Make sure the Read only box is unchecked.
  
  
  

• Incorrectly set folder permissions. Sometimes a user account is not granted the permissions needed to write data to certain folder. Error 3051 may also accompany errors 3027 and 3073, which also indicate a write failure. The ChurchTrac installer attempts to set the correct permissions whenever you install the program or install an update. However, sometimes these permissions may need to be set manually. Follow the instructions here to set folder permissions manually. You may also need to set folder permissions for the folder where your data file is located.
  
  
• Network access. Sharing a single data file over a network or by multiple user accounts on the same computer may result in an error. It can also occur if network users are not permitted to make changes to files in the folder where the data is located, or if your Internet (also network) Options are not set to allow network access. If you're attempting to share a data file over a network, or by using multiple user accounts on the same computer, see this knowledgebase article to ensure it is configured correctly.