If you experience a problem with running the Australian Business Database it is often very easy to fix. Most issues are either related to the MDAC or a damaged or incomplete installation of Microsoft Access.

This section is divided into the following sections:

• Typical issues.
• What is the MDAC and how do you fix it?
• Step 1: Repair MDAC—If it’s already installed, but broken.
• Step 2: Install the latest MDAC release.
• Step 3: Use MDAC Component Checker.
• Step 4: Repairing your Microsoft Access installation.
• Step 5: Still have a problem? Who to contact.

A printable copy of this guide may be downloaded here. (PDF format 180Kb)

Typical issues

• You a message that says “Your Australian Business Database database or project contains a missing or broken reference to the file ‘msadox.dll’ version 2.8.

• The Australian Business Database opens but you get a blank screen.

• The Australian Business Database opens you select your search criteria and nothing appears to happen or the program freezes.

• You are unable to get an export dialog box to open and you can’t export the data.

What is the MDAC and how do you fix it?

MDAC stands for Microsoft Data Access Components. It is a widely used Windows system component that implements database connectivity features. MDAC is required by many Windows programs that implement database features.
Windows XP/2000/Me already contains MDAC by default, but it can get broken under certain circumstances.

In some cases, the MDAC components in Windows get broken or become corrupted so that you need to reinstall or register them. In some cases installing a newer version may be the answer.

Step 1: Repair MDAC—If it’s already installed, but broken.

To do this you will need our MDAC repair tool. This is located on the CD-ROM in the utilities folder. It is also installed and located in the utilities folder of your Australian Business Database installation.

Download the MDAC repair tool. (326Kb)

After starting the repair tool a list of MDAC files will be displayed. Click on the “Re-register” MDAC button.

Click the JET tab, and then click the Re-register MS Jet 4.0 button.

Restart Windows and try to run your problematic software again.

If the MDAC problem still exists, proceed with step 2 below.

The MDAC repair  tool shows your general MDAC version information so that you can check whether there is a newer MDAC version available from Microsoft:

Step 2: Install the latest MDAC release

Install the latest MDAC package from Microsoft. This may be found on the CD in the folder “Microsoft” or may be downloaded from the Microsoft website.

Note: Windows XP SP2 users must reinstall MDAC 2.81 instead.
After the download has finished, run the file MDAC_TYP_2.8.EXE and follow the instructions of the setup.

Now restart Windows and try the Australian Business Database again.

If the MDAC problem still exists, proceed with step 3 Use MDAC Component Checker.

How to repair MDAC 2.8 with Windows XP with SP2 installed
Follow these steps if you have Windows XP with Service Pack 2 installed on your computer.

Windows XP with Service Pack 2 contains MDAC version 2.81, which is currently not available for download at the Microsoft Web site as a standalone installation. If you try to install MDAC 2.8, which is the latest available standalone download of MDAC, you will receive a message that you already have a newer version of MDAC installed. Therefore, under Windows XP SP2, you must manually repair MDAC 2.81 as outlined below.

How to Repair MDAC 2.81 under Windows XP with SP2

• Open the folder C:\Windows\inf and locate the file mdac.inf.
  Note: Your Windows folder could be named differently, e.g. C:\WinXP

• Right-click the file mdac.inf and click Install.

• When prompted for a location, point to C:\Windows\servicepackfiles\i386

• When prompted for the file handler.reg, either point to C:\Program files\Common files\System\msadc, or put the Windows XP CD in your CD-ROM drive.

This reinstalls / repairs MDAC 2.81 under Windows XP SP2.

Step 3: Use MDAC Component Checker

Microsoft offers the tool MDAC Component Checker, which you can use to verify the consistency of your MDAC installation. This is located on the CD-ROM in the utilities folder.

Download the componet checker (413Kb)

After the download has finished, run the file cc_pkg.exe to uncompress the files into the folder C:\ComponentChecker.
Open the folder C:\ComponentChecker and run the file cc.exe.
Select the option Perform analysis against selected version, choose
MDAC 2.8 RTM, and then click OK.

After a short analysis, you will see a report with helpful information. In particular, the MISMATCH section indicates potential problems with your MDAC installation:
Select the MISMATCH item. In the right pane, you can see the MDAC files that should be present in a different version on your computer. (The Component Checker compares the installed file versions with a list of versions that were delivered with MDAC 2.8.)

The Mismatch Field column shows which version is expected for each file. The File Version column shows the actual installed version of each file.
Since a regular installation of MDAC does not seem to help to resolve the mismatched file versions, you must manually copy the concerned files to the listed locations. Unpack the file mdacxpak.cab out of the package MDAC_TYP.exe in a temporary folder with WinZip.

The file mdacxpak.cab can be unpacked with WinZip once more. It contains the most important MDAC files. Copy all these files to the folder as stated in the Path column.

Step 4: Repairing your Microsoft Access installation

Select “Control Panel” from the Start Menu

Next, select “Add or Remove Programs”.

Locate Microsoft Office from the list of your installed programs. Then select “Change”.

Next, select “Reinstall or repair” from the available options,

Next, select “Detect and Repair errors in my Office installation”.

During this operation you may be asked for asked for the CD or the network location you used for the installation.

Step 5: Still have a problem?

Call our support on 1300 669947