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ACC: Troubleshoot "Couldn't Find Installable ISAM" Error

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Article ID:155666
Last Review:April 23, 2007
Revision:3.3
This article was previously published under Q155666
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to export data to Microsoft FoxPro, Paradox, dBASE, Lotus 1-2-3, Text, or Microsoft Excel files, you may receive the following error message:
Couldn't find installable ISAM
You may also receive this error message when you try to import data from any one of those file types.

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CAUSE

This error message can occur if you have invalid information in the registry, or if you have a missing or a corrupted dynamic-link library (.dll) file.

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RESOLUTION

You may be able to resolve this error message by removing and then reinstalling the indexed sequential access method (ISAM) drivers in Microsoft Access 95 or Microsoft Access 97. To do so, follow these steps:
1.Start Windows Explorer (or File Manager) and search for the following files. If you find any of these files, rename them. For example, change the extension for each file from .dll to .old (Msxl3032.old).

In Microsoft Access 95, search for the following files: 
        File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
        --------------------------------------
        Msxl3032.dll    Microsoft Excel
        Mstx3032.dll    Text
        Mslt3032.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
        Mspx3032.dll    Paradox
        Msxb3032.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
        Msxb3032.dll    dBase
In Microsoft Access 97, search for the following files:
        File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
        --------------------------------------
        Msexcl35.dll    Microsoft Excel
        Mstext35.dll    Text
        Msltus35.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
        Mspdox35.dll    Paradox
        Msxbse35.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
        Msxbse35.dll    dBase
2.If you have Microsoft Access as a stand-alone program (not as part of Microsoft Office), start the Setup program for your version of Microsoft Access (95 or 97). If you have Microsoft Access as a part of Microsoft Office Professional, start the Setup program for your version of Microsoft Office Professional (95 or 97).
3.Click the Add/Remove button.

NOTE: If you are running Setup for Microsoft Office 95, select Microsoft Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option before you proceed to step 4.
4.Select Data Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option.
5.Clear the check box for each driver that has a check mark next to it.
6.Click Continue. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process of removing the ISAM components.
7.Start the Setup program again to reinstall the ISAM drivers.
8.Click the Add/Remove button.

NOTE: If you are running Setup for Microsoft Office 95 or 97, select Microsoft Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option before you proceed to step 9.
9.Select Data Access in the Options box, and then click Change Option.
10.Click to select the check box for each ISAM driver that you want to reinstall.
11.Click Continue. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process of reinstalling the ISAM components.
If you still receive the error message after you have completed these steps, then remove and then reinstall Microsoft Access. To do so, follow these steps:
1.Back up all the Microsoft Access database (.mdb) files that you have created.
2.If you have Microsoft Access as a stand-alone program (not as part of Microsoft Office), start the Setup program for your version of Microsoft Access (95 or 97). If you have Microsoft Access as a part of Microsoft Office, start the Setup program for your version of Microsoft Office (95 or 97).
3.Use one of the following methods to remove Microsoft Access:
a. If you have Microsoft Access as a stand-alone program, in the Installation Maintenance Program box, click Remove All.
b. If you have Microsoft Access as a component of Microsoft Office Professional, in the Installation Maintenance Program box, click Add/Remove, and then click to clear the Microsoft Access check box. Click Continue.
4.Follow the instructions on screen to complete the process of removing Microsoft Access 95 or Microsoft Access 97.
5.Start Windows Explorer (or File Manager) and search for the following file names. If you find any of these files, rename them. For example, change the extension for each file from .dll to .old (Msxl3032.old).

In Microsoft Access 95, search for: 
       File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
       --------------------------------------
       Msxl3032.dll    Microsoft Excel
       Mstx3032.dll    Text
       Mslt3032.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
       Mspx3032.dll    Paradox
       Msxb3032.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
       Msxb3032.dll    dBase
In Microsoft Access 97, search for:
       File Name       Import/Export ISAM For
       --------------------------------------
       Msexcl35.dll    Microsoft Excel
       Mstext35.dll    Text
       Msltus35.dll    Lotus 1-2-3
       Mspdox35.dll    Paradox
       Msxbse35.dll    Microsoft FoxPro
       Msxbse35.dll    dBase
6.Insert Disk 1 of the Microsoft Access 95 or Microsoft Access 97 disks into a floppy drive on your computer, or insert the Microsoft Office 95 or Microsoft Office 97 CD into a CD-ROM drive.
7.Use one of the following methods to reinstall Microsoft Access:

a. If you are installing Microsoft Access as a stand-alone program, click Start, click Run, type a command to start Setup, and then follow the instructions to install Microsoft Access on your computer. For example, type:
a:\setup
b. If you are installing Microsoft Access as a part of Microsoft Office, start Setup, click the Add/Remove button, and then click the Microsoft Access check box. Click Continue and follow the instructions on screen to install Microsoft Access.

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REFERENCES

For more information about ISAM settings in the Windows registry, search on the phrase "ISAM," and then view "Customize Windows Registry settings used by Microsoft Access," or ask the Office Assistant.

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APPLIES TO
•Microsoft Access 95 Standard Edition
•Microsoft Access 97 Standard Edition

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Keywords: 
kbpubtypekc kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbprb KB155666

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