" ... .mdb is not a valid Win32 application" message?

[huskerdon]

Hi,

I know this is not really an Access issue, because I've done a search and found that it happens a lot. However, this has me baffled:

A user has a desktop shortcut to an Access database, and when you double click it, you get the message "xxxxx.mdb is not a valid Win32 application." You get the same thing if you try to double-click it from with Explorer. But if you open Access first, and then open the database from the File ... Open... menu, it opens just fine.

The OS is W2k, and using Access 2002 SP3, but the file is in Access 2000 format. There is another identical PC across the hall, same OS, same Access version, and the shortcut works fine.

I got it to work by specifying the FULL path to Access on the C: drive, then followed by the path to the database file in the shortcut target.

But it would still be nice to figure out what's different on this PC, and why the shortcut would not work without specifying the full path. Could it be a corrupted MDAC installation or something like that?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PHV]

Have you tried to repair your msoffice installation ?

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244

 

[huskerdon]

PHV,

No, this was in a remote office, and I was only there for a short time. This was not the reason for being there, so didn't find out about until I was leaving. I'll try a repair tomorrow.

Thanks