Microsoft KB Archive/321003

= &quot;Unexpected Error from External Database Driver (8961)&quot; error message when you try to import dBASE files into Access =

Article ID: 321003

Article Last Modified on 3/27/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Office Access 2007
 * Microsoft Office Access 2003
 * Microsoft Access 2002 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q321003



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

This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.accdb and.mdb).



SYMPTOMS
When you try to import dBASE files into Access, you may receive the following error message:

Unexpected error from external database driver (8961)



CAUSE
This behavior may occur if the Borland folder exists on your computer and either of the following conditions is true:
 * The Borland Database Engine (BDE) was previously installed on your computer but was later removed, leaving an empty folder.

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 * The BDE was installed incorrectly.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, you can either reinstall BDE or use the following steps to remove it:  Start Windows Explorer, and then browse to the Borland folder.

If you cannot locate the folder, follow these steps.

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

 Click Start, and then click Search. Click All files and folders. In the All or part of the file name box, type Borland . In the Look in list, click My Computer. Click Search.</li></ol> </li> Rename the Borland folder as BorlandOld. (For example, rename C:\Borland as C:\BorlandOld .)</li> Import the dBASE files again.</li></ol>

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MORE INFORMATION
If you remove or rename the Borland folder, Access uses its own indexed sequential access method (ISAM) driver to import dBASE data.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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