.MDW file already in use must die

I have Access97 on a stand-alone server. The database & wrkgroup file are on a shared drive with 8 users all having read/write permissions. Problem: First user to the database locks all other users out, including administrators(me)having full-control. I’ve verified no one has exclusive mode checked. I have configured DCOM for interactive user. I have set permissions in the specific database for read-only. I’ve set the records options to NO LOCKS. We still can’t get more than 1 user at a time in this database. My inclination is to do away with an active database and provide a read-only copy for the users, but superior powers insist on having “live” access for all users. This is a gotta get fixed–and soon problem. (Notice the pointvalue)