ACC: Could Not Find SYSTEM.MDA or UTILITY.MDA File

ID: Q90105

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

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

When you start Microsoft Access, you may receive one or both of the following error messages:

Couldn't find file 'SYSTEM.MDA' (version 1.x)
Couldn't find file '<path>\SYSTEM.MDA' (version 2.0)
Couldn't find file 'UTILITY.MDA' (version 1.x)
Couldn't find file '<path>\UTILITY.MDA' (version 2.0)

These errors occur if the SystemDB and UtilityDB settings in the [Options] section of the MSACCESS.INI file in version 1.x, or the MSACC20.INI file in version 2.0, point to a directory that does not contain the SYSTEM.MDA or UTILITY.MDA file. These errors also occur if the directory points to a share to which there is no connection.

If the directory does not exist, you receive the following error message:
Invalid Path '<pathname>' (version 1.0) '<pathname>' isn't a valid path (versions 1.1 and 2.0)


MORE INFORMATION

A good way to manage the MSACCESS.INI or MSACC20.INI file is to keep backup copies that pertain to particular setups. Have one set up for starting in a workgroup on a network and have another that allows for starting on a local machine. To change setups, copy the appropriate backup .INI file over the MSACCESS.INI or MSACC20.INI file. 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbsetup StpOthr 
Version           : 1.0 1.1 2.0
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: March 11, 1999