ACC: Troubleshoot "Couldn't Find Installable ISAM" Error

ID: Q155666

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you try to export data to Microsoft FoxPro, Paradox, dBASE, Lotus 1-2-3, or Microsoft Excel files, you may receive the following error message:

Couldn't find installable ISAM

You may also receive this error message when you try to import data from one of those file types.


CAUSE

This error can be caused by invalid information in the Windows Registry, or by a missing or a corrupted dynamic-link library (.dll) file.


RESOLUTION

The following steps show you how to remove and then reinstall the indexed sequential access method (ISAM) drivers in Microsoft Access 95 or Microsoft Access 97:

  1. Start Windows Explorer (or File Manager) and search for the following file names. If you find any of these files, rename them.

    In Microsoft Access 95: 
    
        File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
        --------------------------------------
        Msxl3032.dll    Microsoft Excel
        Mstx3032.dll    Text
        Mslt3032.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
        Mspx3032.dll    Paradox
        Msxb3032.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
        Msxb3032.dll    dBase

    In Microsoft Access 97: 
    
        File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
        --------------------------------------
        Msexcl35.dll    Microsoft Excel
        Mstext35.dll    Text
        Msltus35.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
        Mspdox35.dll    Paradox
        Msxbse35.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
        Msxbse35.dll    dBase



  2. If you have Microsoft Access as a stand-alone product, start the Setup program for your version of Microsoft Access (95 or 97). Or if you have Microsoft Access as a component of Microsoft Office Professional for Windows, start the Setup program for your version of Office Professional (95 or 97).


  3. Click the Add/Remove button.

    NOTE: If you are running Setup for Microsoft Office 95 or Professional, select Microsoft Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option before you proceed to step 4.


  4. Select Data Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option.


  5. Clear the check box for each driver that has a check mark next to it.


  6. Click Continue. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process of removing the ISAM components.


  7. Start the Setup program again to reinstall the ISAM drivers.


  8. Click the Add/Remove button.

    NOTE: If you are running Setup for Microsoft Office 95 or 97 Professional, select Microsoft Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option before you proceed to step 9.


  9. Select Data Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option.


  10. Click to select the check box for each ISAM driver you want to reinstall.


  11. Click Continue. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process of reinstalling the ISAM components.


If the error message continues, remove and then reinstall Microsoft Access. The following steps show you how to remove and then reinstall Microsoft Access:
  1. Back up all the Microsoft Access database (.mdb) files that you have created.


  2. If you have Microsoft Access as a stand-alone product, start the Setup program for your version of Microsoft Access (95 or 97). Or if you have Microsoft Access as a component of Microsoft Office Professional for Windows, start the Setup program for your version of Office Professional (95 or 97).


  3. Remove Microsoft Access using one of the following methods:

    1. If you have Microsoft Access as a stand-alone product, in the Installation Maintenance Program box, click Remove All.


    2. If you have Microsoft Access as a component of Microsoft Office Professional, in the Installation Maintenance Program box, click Add/Remove, and then click to clear the Microsoft Access check box. Click Continue.




  4. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process of removing Microsoft Access 95 or Microsoft Access 97.


  5. Start Windows Explorer (or File Manager) and search for the following file names. If you find any of these files, rename them:

    In Microsoft Access 95: 
    
       File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
       --------------------------------------
       Msxl3032.dll    Microsoft Excel
       Mstx3032.dll    Text
       Mslt3032.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
       Mspx3032.dll    Paradox
       Msxb3032.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
       Msxb3032.dll    dBase

    In Microsoft Access 97: 
    
       File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
       --------------------------------------
       Msexcl35.dll    Microsoft Excel
       Mstext35.dll    Text
       Msltus35.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
       Mspdox35.dll    Paradox
       Msxbse35.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
       Msxbse35.dll    dBase



  6. Insert Disk 1 of the Microsoft Access 95/Microsoft Access 97 disks into a floppy drive on your computer, or insert the Microsoft Office Professional 95/Microsoft Office 97 Professional CD into a CD-ROM drive.


  7. Reinstall Microsoft Access using one of the following methods:

    1. If you are installing Microsoft Access as a stand-alone product, type a command to start Setup, and then follow the instructions to install Microsoft Access on your computer. For example: 
      
          a:\setup



    2. If you are installing Microsoft Access as a component of Microsoft Office Professional, start Setup, click the Add/Remove button, and then click the Microsoft Access check box. Click Continue and follow the instructions on screen to install Microsoft Access.





REFERENCES

For more information about ISAM settings in the Windows registry, search on the phrase "ISAM," and then view "Customize Windows Registry settings used by Microsoft Access," or ask the Office Assistant.

Additional query words: attach link 


Keywords          : kb3rdparty kberrmsg IsmProb 
Version           : 7.0 97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: April 13, 1999