Access does not open: Side by Side Error

Question

ACCESS will not open.  I get the following from the event viewer:

Activation context generation failed for "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\MSACCESS.EXE.Manifest".Error in manifest or policy file "" on line . A component version required by the application conflicts with another component version already active. Conflicting components are:. Component 1:C:\Windows\WinSxS\manifests\x86_microsoft.vc90.crt_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_9.0.30304.0_none_d9c474bda3593bfa.manifest. Component 2:C:\Windows\WinSxS\manifests\x86_microsoft.vc90.crt_1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b_9.0.30729.1_none_e163563597edeada.manifest.

I have verified both objects exist.

Not sure ehat to do next?

Answer 1

Unfortunately these side by side errors can be a bit difficult to troubleshoot because there doesn’t appear to be just one simple fix for them.  In addition to this, the root of the problem is really related to Windows itself and not Access.  Unless someone else has some steps to try, my recommendation would be to open up a case with Microsoft and have one of us look into it with you.  The link below provides steps on how to open up a support incident.

Microsoft Assisted Support Options - http://support.microsoft.com/select/Default.aspx?target=assistance

Best Regards,

Nathan Ost

Microsoft Online Community Support

Answer 2

Hi....  Not sure what Visual Studio is.  So I did not knowlingly load it.  I've looked in my PROGRAMS and FEATURES and I do not see Visual Studio - or microsoft Visual Studio.

Thanks for your help.

Answer 3

Do you have Visual Studio installed on the machine?  If so, you could try uninstalling VS, then go through the steps in the link above again and then test.  If this allows you to open Access, you could then try installing Visual Studio again.

Answer 4

Still not working.

I followed the instructions.  I get the same error message in the Event Viewer.  It looks like I have a manifest file issue.  (Not sure what a manifest file is or does....)

I can see the fresh install of ACCESS in the viewer.

Answer 5

Hi kmpankoph,

See if the info on this thread helps:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2010-access/i-am-getting-a-side-by-side-configuration-when-i/e5928396-d748-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5

Best Regards,

Nathan Ost

Microsoft Online Community Support