Error $2501 & $210D While Attempting to Initialize Borland Database Engine (BDE)

When using applications that utilize Borland Database Engine (BDE), one of the following error messages may occurred:

An Error occurred while attempting to initialize the Borland Database Engine (error $2501)

An Error occurred while attempting to initialize the Borland Database Engine (error $210D)

The error may happen anytime during usage of the app. The error is most likely caused by insufficient shared memory that is available for the database engine usage. Thus, the resolution for the error is by increasing the shared memory available for the BDE.

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Search for and open BDE Administrator.
3. Expand Configuration.
4. Expand System.
5. Open the INIT definition.
6. Modify and enter the value of SHAREDMEMLOCATION and SHAREDMEMSIZE according to the amount of physical memory (RAM) the computer has, based on table below.

   Physical Memory (RAM) Size	SHAREDMEMLOCATION	SHAREDMEMSIZE
   2 GB	0x2BDE	2048
   4 GB	0x5BDE	4096
   8 GB	0x7BDE	8192

   

7. The changes are saved automatically. Restart the computer when done for the changes to take effect.