OK, so maybe "fix" isn't the right word. (After all, it isn't really broken...<g>) If you install Access 2.0 after you install Access '97, you'll find that the associations in the registry have been altered. If you double click on a .MDB file, Access 2.0 will attempt to open it. If it's really an Access '97 database, it will fail. That's an annoyance that's easily fixed, using just a few lines to update the registry. (I've found the easiest thing is to copy this into a file, give it a .REG extension, then simply double-click on that file to apply the changes. In fact, I've even got the file available here that you can download it. I just put a .TXT extension on it so you wouldn't accidentally change your registry when you didn't want to!) An added bonus of this change is that now, if you right-click on a .MDB file, you get the choice of opening it with Access 2.0. Enjoy! Please read the comments at the end of this thoroughly before using this "patch"

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mdb]
@="Access.Application.8"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mda]
@="Access.Extension.8"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Access.Application\CurVer]
@="Access.Application.8"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Access.Database\CurVer]
@="Access.Database.8"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Access.Application.8\shell\Open_with_Access_2.0]
@="Open with MS Access 2.0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Access.Application.8\shell\Open_with_Access_2.0\command]
@="C:\\APPS\\ACCESS.20\\Msaccess.exe %1"

NOTES:

1. The standard warnings about making changes to your registry apply! ALWAYS make a backup before making changes. I've used this fix several times with no ill affects, but I offer no guarantees nor warranties!
2. The location reference for MS Access 2.0 in the last entry will doubtlessly have to be changed for your installation: I installed it in C:\APPS\ACCESS.20. Note the use of double slashes (\\) in the registry entry: you MUST do the same if you change this path entry!
3. If you don't want the MS Access 2.0 reference in your pop-up menu, simply leave out the last 2 sections in the .reg file

This page is maintained by Last Updated: 25th June, 2009