Q237979
ACC97: "Can't Find File MSO9.DLL" Error When Starting Access

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access 97

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.



SYMPTOMS
When you try to start Microsoft Access 97, you may receive the following error message

Can't find file MSO9.DLL
and Access doesn't start.



CAUSE
You may receive this error message if you do the following in the order listed:

You install Microsoft Office 2000, including Access 2000, and the Small Business Customer Manager as part of the Microsoft Office Small Business Tools.


You then uninstalled these programs, which may cause an orphaned copy of the Access 2000 executable file to be left on the computer.


You then install Office 97 on the computer.


When you try to start Access 97, the shortcut actually points to the Access 2000 executable, but because some required components, including the Mso9.dll file, are missing, you receive the error message mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.



RESOLUTION
To resolve the error described in the "Symptoms" section, follow these steps:

Uninstall Microsoft Access 97.


Look for the Msaccess.exe file and rename it.


Look for the Hatten.ttf file and if found, delete it.


Install Microsoft Access 97 to a different folder.





MORE INFORMATION
During the installation of Access 97, the Setup program searches for existing components. During this search, it finds the orphaned copy of Msaccess.exe. Because the Setup program does not replace a newer version of a file if it exists on the hard drive, the Access 97 version of Msaccess.exe is not installed. After Access 97 setup is completed, the shortcut for Access 97 actually points to the Access 2000 executable file. When you click the short cut, it tries to start the orphaned Access 2000 executable file, which results in the error.