PROBLEM
When opening ArcCatalog or browsing a directory which includes text files, the following error message may occur:
"Error reading textfile data. This could be due to corrupt ODBC/MDAC components. You may not have access to all the MDAC utilities you require. Please refer to the FAQ for further information".
This may also cause ArcCatalog or ArcMap to crash with an application error.
This could indicate that some of the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) have become un-registered (this can occur after running the regclean utility) or corrupted on the local system. Other symptoms may include not being able to call up the Data Link Properties dialog when Add OLE DB Connection is selected.
Warning: The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary. Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.
Get help from ArcGIS experts
Download the Esri Support App