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

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SYMPTOMS

Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

When you try to use a Paradox file to import, export, or link data, you may receive the following error message:

   Couldn't open Paradox.net.

CAUSE

The Windows Registry has an incorrect setting for the ParadoxNetPath entry or the ParadoxUserName entry. This can occur when you install Microsoft Access into a folder other than \Msoffice\Access. These Registry entries will be missing if the computer was not on a network when Microsoft Access was installed.

RESOLUTION

You can modify the Paradox entries in the Windows Registry. To do so, follow these steps.

WARNING: Modifications made to the system registry are considered advanced usage of the Windows 95 or Windows NT operating systems. Extreme care should be taken when making modifications. Any invalid or incorrect entries may render the operating system unusable.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

1. Click the Start button, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks).

3. Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry folder.

4. Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder until you locate the SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Jet\3.0\Engines\Paradox folder for Microsoft Access 7.0 or the SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Jet\3.5\Engines\Paradox folder for Microsoft Access 97.

5. Double-click the Paradox folder to view its contents.

6. If no entry exists for ParadoxNetPath, click New on the Edit menu, and then click String Value. Type ParadoxNetPath for the name of this new string, and then press enter to save it.

7. Select the ParadoxNetPath entry, and then on the Edit menu, click Modify.

8. In the Edit String box, type a valid path to the folder containing the Paradox.Net file (for Paradox 3.x) or the Pdoxusrs.net file (for Paradox 4.x), for example:

   d:\PDOXDB

   NOTE: If more than one individual needs to connect to the same Paradox

             Table, you must ensure that each user points to the same
             ParadoxNetPath.
   
   

9. Click OK to save the ParadoxNetPath setting.

10. If no entry exists for ParadoxUserName, click New on the Edit menu, and then click String Value. Type ParadoxUserName for the name of this new string, and then press ENTER to save it.

11. Select the ParadoxUserName entry, and then on the Edit menu, click Modify.

12. In the Edit String box, type a valid entry for the user name, for example:

    Microsoft Access

13. Click OK to save the ParadoxUserName setting.

14. Quit the Registry Editor, and then try again to import, export, or link a Paradox file.

MORE INFORMATION

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.

REFERENCES