ACC2: Troubleshooting "Can't Find Installable ISAM" Error

ID: Q150494

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access 2.0

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you import data from a Microsoft FoxPro, Paradox, dBASE, or Btrieve file, you may receive the following error message:

Can't find installable ISAM.

CAUSE

This error is usually caused by an incorrect entry in the MSACC20.INI file or a corrupted dynamic link library (.DLL) file on your computer. The error can also occur if the newer BTRV200.DLL from the Microsoft Access Service Pack 2.0 is used with original version of MSAJT200.DLL.

RESOLUTIONS

Check the MSACC20.INI File

To do so, follow these steps:

Open the MSACC20.INI file in a text editor, such as Notepad.

Locate the [Installable ISAMs] section and note the paths for the ISAM drivers:


      [Installable ISAMs]
      Paradox 3.X=C:\Windows\System\Pdx200.dll
      Paradox 4.X=C:\Windows\System\Pdx200.dll
      FoxPro 2.5=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
      FoxPro 2.6=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
      FoxPro 2.0=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
      dBASE III=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
      dBASE IV=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
      Btrieve=C:\Windows\System\Btrv200.dll

Start Windows Explorer (or File Manager) and locate the ISAM drivers listed in the MSACC20.INI file. If the drivers are not found in the specified location, you should reinstall the ISAM drivers. To do so, follow these steps:
1. In a text editor, open the MSACC20.INI file and comment the ISAM section by entering a semicolon (;) in front of each line, for example:
```
       [Installable ISAMs]
       ;Paradox 3.X=C:\Windows\System\Pdx200.dll
       ;Paradox 4.X=C:\Windows\System\Pdx200.dll
       ;FoxPro 2.5=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
       ;FoxPro 2.6=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
       ;FoxPro 2.0=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
       ;dBASE III=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
       ;dBASE IV=C:\Windows\System\Xbs200.dll
       ;Btrieve=C:\Windows\System\Btrv200.dll 
```
2. Save the MSACC20.INI file and close the text editor.
3. Start the Microsoft Access Setup program.
4. Click the Add/Remove Programs button.
5. Click to clear "ISAM drivers" to uninstall the Installable ISAM drivers, and then click Continue. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the uninstall process.
  
  NOTE: If the ISAM drivers check box is disabled, quit Setup, rename the following files, and begin again from Step c:
```
        BTRV200.DLL
        PDX200.DLL
        XBS200.DLL 
```
6. Start the Microsoft Access Setup program again to reinstall the ISAM drivers.
7. Click the Add/Remove Programs button.
8. Click to select the "ISAM drivers" box, and then click Continue. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation. This Setup process will update the [Installable ISAMs] section in the MSACC20.INI file to the correct settings.

If the error message continues at this point, completely uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Access. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Back up all .MDB files created with Microsoft Access.
2. Start Windows Explorer (or File Manager).
3. Locate and rename the following files (all but one of these files are located in the \Windows\System directory):
```
        BTRV200.DLL
        COMPOBJ.DLL
        CTL3D.DLL
        MSAJT200.DLL
        MSAJU200.DLL (file located in Access directory)
        PDX200.DLL
        STDOLE.TLB
        STORAGE.DLL
        TYPELIB.DLL
        XBS200.DLL 
```
  If you are using Windows 95, copy the following files from the \Windows\Sysbckup folder (a hidden folder) to the \Windows\System folder:
```
        COMPOBJ.DLL
        CTL3D.DLL
        STDOLE.TLB
        STORAGE.DLL
        TYPELIB.DLL 
```
4. Start the Microsoft Access Setup program.
5. Click the Remove All button.
6. When you receive the prompt, "Are you sure you want to remove this Application," click Yes.
7. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the removal process.
8. Start Microsoft Access Setup again. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the program.

If you are using Microsoft Windows 3.1 and the error message continues at this point, resolve the problem by rebuilding the Windows registry.

For more information about rebuilding the Windows 3.1 registry, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q80393 How to Rebuild the Default Windows REG.DAT File

To Test for Mismatched DLL Files

Check the modified date of MSAJT200.DLL. If the date is prior to November 20, 1994, re-run the Microsoft Access Service Pack 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: gray grey grayed greyed


Keywords          : kb3rdparty kberrmsg IsmGnrl 
Version           : 2.0
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: April 16, 1999