External table not expected format

[John]

I am trying to link to a fairly simple Paradox table
using Access 2003. If I have the table local on my
computer, then I can link to it without any problems.

However, when I have the table on another computer (which
is where it needs to be), when I try to link to it I get
the following error "External table is not in the
expected format". I have tried linking to it via UNC
paths and via drive mappings with no success. It's not a
permissions issue, as I've tried it on multiple machines
with the same effect. In fact, I went so far as to share
out the local folder on my computer where it is residing,
and couldn't get it to link there either.

Anyone have any ideas? This one has me stumped.

 

[Joe Fallon]

Hmm.
Never used Paradox. Saw it once 10 years ago.
==================================
This is in A2003 Help for Paradox:
3.x, 4.x, and 5.0; and 8.0 (Linking requires updated ISAM drivers available
from Microsoft Technical Support)

Do you have the latest drivers?

===================================
This was in Help too:
Initializing the Paradox Database Driver
When you install the Paradox database driver, the Setup program writes
a set of default values to the Microsoft® Windows® Registry in the Engines
and ISAM Formats subkeys. You should not modify these settings directly
(unless necessary); use the setup program for your application to add,
remove, or change these settings. The following sections describe
initialization and ISAM Format settings for the Paradox database driver.

The Paradox database driver will work in one of two modes, depending
upon whether the Borland Database Engine (BDE) is installed. Paradox data is
only updateable with the BDE. Without the BDE, the Paradox data can be Read,
Exported, or Linked to read-only.

Paradox Initialization Settings
The Jet\4.0\Engines\Paradox folder includes initialization settings
for the Mspdox35.dll driver, used for access to external Paradox data.
Typical settings for the entries in this folder are shown in the following
example.

win32=<path>\ mspbde40.dll

PageTimeout=600

CollatingSequence=ASCII

DataCodePage=OEM

ParadoxUserName=Kimberly

ParadoxNetPath=P:\PDOXDB

ParadoxNetStyle=4.X




ParadoxNetStyle The network access style to use when accessing Paradox
data. Possible values are:
a.. 3.x
b.. 4.x
Note Paradox 3.x users cannot set this to 4.x or the driver will use
the wrong locking method. Paradox 5.0 users must use the 4.x ParadoxNetStyle
setting to ensure proper locking behavior.

This entry is not added by the setup program. You must create this
entry. This entry should correspond to whatever version of Paradox the users
in the group are using. It must be consistent for all users sharing a
particular database (directory). The default is 4.x.

Note If you indicate a ParadoxNetStyle, you must also specify a
ParadoxUserName and a ParadoxNetPath or you will receive an error when
trying to access external Paradox data.

 

[Michael S. Montoya]

I am getting the same issue and was wondering if you have received or found
an answer yet. One webiste I found mentioned BDE and using ODBC to connect,
however, that went over my head and it did not give any answers.

 

[Rick Brandt]

I am getting the same issue and was wondering if you have received or found
an answer yet. One webiste I found mentioned BDE and using ODBC to connect,
however, that went over my head and it did not give any answers.

My experience with A97 and A2K has been that I cannot successfully link to
Paradox tables higher than version 5. Version 5 and below work fine.