can't access databases publisher 2002

[Eric]

I, too, get the errors stating ...because of dialog or database engine
failures. I cannot open works or Access files. I tried the fixes to the MDAC
and Jet to no avail. I wonder if all us with the problem are running XP
Media Center Edition? Any cure? Does 2003 publisher fix this?

 

[Mary Sauer]

What is your error? Where is your data? If it is on a removable media source you
cannot merge a read only file. Copy it over to your hard drive. Right-click the
data source, and then click Properties. On the General tab, click to clear the
Read-only check box for attributes.

It would be helpful to know the details of your error.

Have you installed the service pack for Office XP?
Office XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...fd-6f69-4289-8bd1-eb966bcdfb5e&DisplayLang=en

Have you downloaded the component checker to see if you have any MDAC components
mismatched?
MDAC Utility: Component Checker
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f6-4a21-4b43-bf53-14332ef092c9&DisplayLang=en

 

[Eric]

Thank you for your response. First: The database files I am trying to
access from Publisher 2002 reside on my hard drive. I have made sure the
attributes are not read only. The error message for accessing a works
database (.wdb) is “Office cannot merge information from this file. Please
verify this is a valid works file.†If I try to open an access file I get a
dialog box called “Data Link Propertiesâ€. If I click OK I get “This
operation cannot be completed because of dialog or database engine failures.
Please try again later.†If I click “test connection†instead I get “Test
connection failed because of an error initializing provider. Catastrophic
error.†I have tried to update the MDAC and I get “MDAC 2.8 RTM is
incompatible with this version of Windows. All of its features are currently
part of Windows.†I am running Xp Media Center Edition 2002. I have Office
SP3 installed. I ran the component checker and I get “Mdac 2.8 SP1 on
windows XP SP2†as matched. I called tech support and they spent 30 minutes
in control of my computer. They gave up and refunded me my $35. They said
they “escalated†the issue. I wonder if it is my version of XP that is the
problem?

Eric

 

[Mary Sauer]

Do you have Access? Can you open the database file in Works? Can you export it?

There is a query in the Works newsgroup similar to yours, the poster said he
solved the database issue by adding fields in the mail merge wizard.
Look at the Works newsgroup. The thread is dated March 19 by Baffled06.
http://support.microsoft.com/newsgr....win&tid=1375557b-36cc-413e-bf62-1230ef327824

I don't have Works on my computer

 

[Eric]

I have Access. I can open databases no problem in both Works and Access and
I can export. I can do a mail merge with Word for both Access and Works
databases. It is only Publisher that does not work. I have fields in all my
databases.

Eric

 

[DavidF]

Eric,

I use Works 4.5 to merge with Publisher and found that you have to be very
careful that the placeholder on the document is exactly the same as the
fields in your database, plus be sure to not use any punctuation in your
field names, such as "St."...that will make it choke. If you have a
downgraded version of Works (any newer version), then try saving your Works
database as a CSV file and merge with that.

DavidF