Error Msg When You Attach Paradox File to MS Access 2.0 (118977)




This article was previously published under Q118977

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Access version 2.0, when you try to attach or import a Paradox 3.x database file, you receive the following error message:
Couldn't find net path or user name.
In the Microsoft Press book "Microsoft Access 2 for Windows Step by Step" (page 95, step 3) you are instructed to attach the Paradox 3.5 table "Shipping.db" to Microsoft Access. You may receive the above error message when you attempt to attach the Paradox table.

CAUSE

When you attach a Paradox file to Microsoft Access for the first time, Microsoft Access creates the [Paradox ISAM] section of the Msacc20.ini. You receive the above error message if Microsoft Access fails to locate an appropriate user name in the ParadoxUserName setting in the [Paradox ISAM] section of the Msacc20.ini.

RESOLUTION

To resolve the problem, modify the Msacc20.ini as follows:
  1. Quit Microsoft Access 2.0 (if it is currently running).
  2. In Program Manager, open Notepad.
  3. On the file menu, click Open and enter the following path:

    C:\Windows\Msacc20.ini

  4. Click OK to open Msacc20.ini.
  5. Scroll to the [Paradox ISAM] section of this file.

    NOTE: Do not mistake this section for either the [Paradox 3.X] or the [Installable ISAMs] section.
  6. Add the following new line of text to the [Paradox ISAM] section:

    ParadoxUserName=<customer name or some unique identifier>

  7. Save changes to this file and exit Notepad.
When you restart Microsoft Access, the addition of the ParadoxUserName setting allows you to attach to the Paradox database.

For more information about how to perform this task in Windows, see your Windows printed documentation or online Help.

MORE INFORMATION

The following is an example of a properly defined [Paradox ISAM] section:

[Paradox ISAM]
ParadoxUserName=Zephan Schroeder
ParadoxNetPath=C:\MSOFFICE\ACCESS
ParadoxNetStyle=3.x
CollatingSequence=Ascii

STATUS

This problem occurs when you use Microsoft Access version 2.0 and Paradox version 3.x. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

91711 PRB: "Couldn't Open File" Error Message Using Paradox Table

Modification Type: Major Last Reviewed: 7/30/2001
Keywords: KB118977
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.