Microsoft KB Archive/209805

= You receive a "Could not find installable ISAM" error message or some file types are missing when you import files, export files, or link files in Access 2000 =

Article ID: 209805

Article Last Modified on 8/12/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q209805



Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



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

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).



For a Microsoft Access 2002 version or a Microsoft Office Access 2003 version of this article, see 283881.

For a Microsoft Access 97 version of this article, see 90111.



SYMPTOMS
When you import files, export files, or link files in Microsoft Access, some file types are missing from the Files of type drop-down box in the Import dialog box, the Export dialog box, or the Link dialog box. You may receive the following error messages if Access cannot find the indexed sequential access method (ISAM) driver for that type of file:

Error message 1

Could not find installable ISAM

Error message 2

The wizard is unable to access information in the file ' '. Please check that the file exists and that the file is in the correct format.

You may also receive these error messages if you are trying to import from, link to, and export to Microsoft FoxPro from Access 2000. Access 2000 requires that you use the Microsoft Visual FoxPro Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver. Access 97 uses an ISAM driver. This problem may occur when databases are upgraded from Access 97 to Access 2000.

For additional information about how to set up the ODBC connection to the Visual FoxPro database, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

225861 No option to import, link, or export to the FoxPro file type



CAUSE
ISAM drivers are used by Access to update file formats other than its own. If the path of the ISAM driver in your Windows Registry is not valid, or if the ISAM driver does not exist, the problem may occur.



RESOLUTION
Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To correct the problem, you can try to register the file manually or you must correct path name errors in the Windows Registry, and then install or replace the problem file. To do this, follow these steps.

Note In error message 1 that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section, the file name is directly related to the attempted operation. In error message 2 that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section, the file name is mentioned in the text of the message.  Locate the relevant file in the following table:  Use Microsoft Windows Explorer to search for the file. If the file is found, record the path name for the file. If the file is not found, go to step 13. Open the Windows Registry Editor. Locate the registry subkey that is described in the table, and then check the path name against the actual path name. If the registry key does not exist, go to step 8.</li> Correct the path if it is incorrect. Continue these steps if the path is correct.</li> Close Registry Editor.

If you changed the path, repeat the process that produced the original error.</li> If the error persists, try to manually register the file by using the Regsvr32.exe utility.

The Regsvr32.exe utility is an application that is used to register DLLs and ActiveX Controls in the Windows Registry. You can use this file to stop the issue of mismatched .dll files. To re-register your .dll files by using the Regsvr32.exe utility, go to the next step.</li> Verify that the Regsvr32.exe file is in the system folder where Windows is installed.

For example, the Regsvr32.exe file is typically found in C:\Windows\System or in C:\Winnt\System32.</li> Click Start, and then click Run.</li> In the Run dialog box, type the following command in the Open box.

Note The path of Regsvr32.exe and the name and the path of the DLL may be different on your computer. The following command registers the Excel ISAM:

Regsvr32 c:\winnt\system32\msexcl40.dll

Note Another method of registering DLLs is to use Windows Explorer to find the DLL.

Double-click the DLL. In the Open With dialog box, click Regsvr32.exe, and then click OK.

This creates a permanent association of all DLLs with Regsvr32.exe. You can register other unregistered DLLs by double-clicking them.

For additional information about how to obtain this file, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

267279 Regsvr32.exe available in Download Center

</li> If the error persists, or if the path name was correct in step 5, rename the file.</li> Start the Add/Remove Programs tool, start the Office 2000 Setup program, and then click Repair Office.</li></ol>

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