How do I open 1997 mdb file on a machine with access 2013 or newer installed

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I have a C# application that mainly uses Access ACCDB files. It does have to import old 1997 format MDB files from an older application though.

I am installing the Database Engine for Access 2010 because newer versions of Access cannot open the old 1997 format MDB files, which my app needs to import. This works just fine on a clean OS but if a user installs Access 2013 or newer They get a "Cannot open a database created with a previous version of your application" error.

What I have tried:

I read an article that said installing Database Engine for Access 2007 will fix this problem. This actually does work, but I don't want to tell our customers to try it because I have no idea why it works.

Any ideas?

Posted 20-Sep-16 9:27am

Member 11866220

Updated 17-Nov-16 11:57am

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Richard MacCutchan 21-Sep-16 4:46am

You know the answer. Just convert the old database and give the new version to your customers, patiently explaining to them that you have no control over the versions of Access.

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Gustav Brock · Answer 1 · 2016-11-17T11:57:00

You shouldn't have to install anything. Use the OLEDB driver installed with Windows.
This is an example for Access 2.0(!) Adjust Engine Type to fit Jet 3.5 for Access 97:

HTML

<add name="ClientBill.Properties.Settings.FinConnectionString"
            connectionString="Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source=R:\Test\Fin.mdb;User ID=Admin;Jet OLEDB:System database=R:\Test\System.mda;Jet OLEDB:Engine Type=3;Jet OLEDB:Database Locking Mode=0;Jet OLEDB:Mode=Share Deny None"
            providerName="System.Data.OleDb" />