vb.net - Cannot connect to dbf file -

i'm trying connect to foxpro table (.dbf) test vb.net form. recieve oledbexception message "cannot open file c:\emp\emptbl.dbf"

have tried both of following connection strings:

provider=vfpoledb.1;data source=c:\emp\emptbl.dbf

from msdn article here

provider=vfpoledb;data source=c:\emp\emptbl.dbf;collating sequence=machine;

from connectionstrings.com

the latter seems type use when connecting single table, same exception thrown regadless of used.

i can open , perform same query okay in visual foxpro 6.0. here's code:

    dim tbl datatable = new datatable()          using con = new oledbconnection(constring)             cmd = new oledbcommand() {.connection = con, .commandtype = commandtype.text}             dim ssql string = "select * from(emptbl)"             cmd.commandtext = ssql             dim adp oledbdataadapter = new oledbdataadapter(cmd)             dim ds dataset = new dataset()             con.open()             adp.fill(ds)             con.close()             if (ds.tables.count > 0)                 tbl = ds.tables(0)             end if         end using      return tbl 

the oledb provider should connect path tables are... not actual file name. once connect path, can query .dbf file located in it

provider=vfpoledb.1;data source=c:\emp

select * emptbl ...

you can @ other connection string settings at

connectionstrings.com

update per comment.

it appears getting closer. attempt without () parens. in vfp, within parens, interprets "look variable called emptbl", , value name of table query from. not need apply via oledb connection.

now, cant open file another. possible application has table open , file in exclusive use? , can not opened .net app too? grins, if open vfp, , simple create table in c:\emp folder , put single record in it, know no other program using new file. quit out of vfp , try query table. there should no locks, no other program expecting it, should never opened else , should go.