Open a locked Excel 2007 file on Windows Server 2008 Shared folder

I am sharing Excel and word 2007 files on a SBS2008 server. Alle computers are windows XP with Office 2007 installed. When the users open an excel document they sometimes get File is locked by 'another user'. Disabled & removed antivirus software on server & client but that didn't resolve the issue. When i move the excel file to a Windows Server 2003 share and let the users open the file there they also get the message File is locked by 'username'. But now it mentions the username and not 'by another user', so i guess it has something to do with SBS2008/WinServ2008 installation Anyone found a solution for this issue. I know i can open computer management on the server but it would be nice the user could see who is locking the file without asking the admin.

The thing is that there is no way you can open locked file. The files is usually locked with a password by the user. And rights must be given by the admin. I do not thing you can open the unless you have the username for the same.

Yes it is right. The file is locked and it will not be open under any condition. You can try opening the file on client pc if that worked then simply remove the conditions of file locked by username.