Error "Unable to initialize DAO/Jet db engine"

Updated Aug 6, 2019

Reported In

Software

  • Multisim
  • Ultiboard
  • Circuit Design Suite

Issue Details

  • Multisim doesn't have components in the database.
  • I'm launching NI Multisim or NI Ultiboard and as soon as it finishes loading it pops up an error: 
Unable to initialize DAO/Jet db engine.


And later:

Problem accessing the database:

The Master Database cannot be accessed. Features using the Master Database will not be available.

Solution

This error appears when there's an incorrect registry Microsoft DAO (Data Access Objects) on Windows at the moment of the installation. To register the DAO: 
  1. Close Multisim and any other program
  2. Open the command line (CMD) Start»All Programs»Accessories»Command Prompt
  3. Type cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DAO or equivalent and press Enter
  4. Type regsvr32 dao360.dll and press Enter
The error should go away and the database content should be back again. 
The module "dao360.dll" was loaded but the call to DllRegisterServer failed with error code 0x8002801c.
  • If you're still running into this error after trying steps 1-4 it's probable that there's a security software that's preventing you from installing / running Circuit Design Suite.
  1. Try disabling your security software (antivirus, firewall) and relaunch Multisim.
  2. If this fails, you'll have to reimage your OS and install NI Multisim or NI Ultiboard before anything else.

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