# MS Access is giving me a headache!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-access-is-giving-me-a-headache/73540
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 23, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-access-is-giving-me-a-headache/73540 "2001-07-23T15:44:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-access-is-giving-me-a-headache/73540/1 "2001-07-23T15:44:02Z")
A friend gave me a Windows 97 office CD so that I could install Access on my computer. Once it was installed, I ran it only to have it say that no database was included on the command line. (Of course not, I haven’t made a database yet!)
I added the path to a database file I had, and it started to run the Access program which was built around the database. But I couldn’t then “clear” that program and start a brand new database; as soon as I select “Close”, Access closes completely.
So how the @!#?@! do I start a brand new database and associated program in Access???
---
### Author:  [@BF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BF)
#### Post date: [July 23, 2001, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-access-is-giving-me-a-headache/73540/2 "2001-07-23T17:12:02Z")
Seems your initial installation may be hosed. Re-install A97. And remember, you’re dealing with a M$ product here…
---
### Author:  [@evilhanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhanz)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2001, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-access-is-giving-me-a-headache/73540/3 "2001-07-24T03:56:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by BF \*
> \*\*And remember, you’re dealing with a M$ product here… \*\*
Yes, a fine product with an excellent track record as well as a large and dedicated user base.
This error is common when trying to mix and match versions of MS Office. This error commonly occurs when a previous installation of Office 2000 standard already exists on a machine when the user attempts to install Access 97. Installation in order of version number is recommended. When this is not feasible for some reason, there are various ways of correcting it including [Access - No License Error](http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q141/3/73.asp). Also, visit [Running Multiple Versions of Microsoft Office](http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q218/8/61.ASP).
When you start working with Access, visit [Dev Ashish’s Access Web](http://www.mvps.org/access/). It will help you solve most common database and programming problems new users struggle with.
Also, when you have a computer problem, it helps to provide the exact error message you see on screen.
I’m concerned that you are using a “borrowed” version of MS Access 97. This is piracy and most certainly illegal. Please buy a copy of the program if you intend to use it.
---
### Author:  [@BF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BF)
#### Post date: [July 24, 2001, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-access-is-giving-me-a-headache/73540/4 "2001-07-24T13:49:19Z")
“Anyone who thinks Microsoft never does anything truly
innovative isn’t paying attention to the part of the company
that pushes the state of its art: Microsoft’s legal
department.”
–Ed Foster, The Gripe Line columnist, expresses his
distaste for Microsoft’s license enforcement program.