ACC2000: "Unexpected Error from External Database Driver 8458" Error Message When You Import dBase III File

When you try to import a large dBase III file into Access 2000, you may receive an error message that says that Access is not responding. If you then try to import another dBase file, the following error message may appear: If you click Help, no help is available.

This behavior can occur either because of a corrupted .dll file or because of a problem during Access 2000 installation.

To resolve this behavior, perform the following procedures in the order that they appear, until the error message no longer appears.

Run the Microsoft Office Detect and Repair Utility

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Click Microsoft Office 2000 version, and then click Change.
4. Click Repair Office to restore the installation to its original state, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Try again to import the file.

Download and Install the Latest Version of MDAC

To download the latest version of Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC), go to the following Microsoft Web site: This site also provides links to information about installing MDAC.

After you install MDAC, try again to import the file.

Temporarily Rename the Borland Folder

dBase is a product of Borland Software. The default location for the Borland folder is C:\Program Files\Borland.

CAUTION: Renaming the Borland folder may cause other programs to function improperly. Change the folder name back to the original name after you export the database that you need.

1. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
2. In the Search for files or folders named box, type Borland, and then click Search Now.
3. Right-click the folder in the list that appears, and then click Rename.
4. Type a new name for the folder, and then press ENTER.

Try again to import the file.