ACC: "Couldn't Open File" Error Message Using Paradox Table (91711)

SYMPTOMS

You cannot open an attached Paradox table from within Microsoft Access, or you receive an "Unexpected Condition" error message in Paradox when you attempt to view a table.

Paradox and Microsoft Access should be able to access the same Paradox tables simultaneously if there is only one PARADOX.NET file in use by both programs.

NOTE: The PARADOX.NET file is called PDOXUSRS.NET in Microsoft Access for Windows 95 version 7.0. For information about the issues in this article in Microsoft Access 7.0, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

142479 ACC: "Couldn't Open Paradox.Net" Error Message (95/97)

CAUSE

Microsoft Access

If you receive the error message "Couldn't open file 'filename'" when you try to open an attached Paradox table while you are in Microsoft Access, you may have two PARADOX.NET files. In this case, Microsoft Access may be using one PARADOX.NET file while Paradox is using the other.

Another possible cause is the absence of a user name in the ParadoxUserName entry in the [Paradox ISAM] section in your MSACC20.INI file (or MSACCESS.INI file in version 1.x). See REFERENCES below for more information.

There are other conditions that can cause this error message as well. For more information, search the Help Index for "Error Messages."

Paradox

If you receive an error message similar to

Unexpected condition: File open (I104) - C:\pdoxdata\yourfile.db (Code 5) -- Leaving Paradox

when you attempt to open a table while you are in Paradox, the cause is the same as above: there are two PARADOX.NET files, with Microsoft Access using one and Paradox using the other.

RESOLUTION

When you attach a Paradox table (<filename>.DB) in Microsoft Access, file locking information is maintained by PARADOX.NET, the Paradox network control file. Paradox requires this file in network environments, but it is also used in stand-alone configurations.

Microsoft Access creates a PARADOX.NET file in the Microsoft Access program directory the first time you try to access Paradox data. An entry is made in the MSACC20.INI file (or MSACCESS.INI in version 1.x) in the [Paradox ISAM] section pointing to the location of the file. The MSACC20.INI file should be in your Windows directory. The entry will be similar to:

   [Paradox ISAM]
   ParadoxNetPath=C:\ACCESS\

Paradox also installs a PARADOX.NET file during normal installation. By default it is located in the Paradox program directory. The location of this file is determined by the network administrator during a network installation.

To redirect Microsoft Access to the location of the PARADOX.NET file that Paradox installed, edit the MSACC20.INI file in any text editor, such as Notepad, and change the path. Do not include the name of the file.

To change the Paradox configuration to point to the Microsoft Access PARADOX.NET file, run the NUPDATE.EXE utility. Refer to the Paradox "Network Administrator's Guide" for more information on this topic.

Paradox is manufactured by Borland International, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.