Two possibilities.
Possibility #1:
Looking at the Microsoft knowledge base, it appears that the executable uses a database targeted for Vista, as opposed to XP.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942977
That's because - and I'm guessing here - the programmers who made the app were idiots, and used bound controls (which I stopped doing about a decade ago). It requires the developer of the software to recomplie the app for 32-bit operation.
Possibility #2:
You need MDAC32 v2.8 (Microsoft Data Access Components) on your PC to get data connectivity. I kinda doubt this because most low-end developers these days are using Microsoft SQL Server Express, and installing it with the app.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/820761
My guess is that it is "Possibility #1".