edb (emacs database) won't open file - emacs 20 & 21
 

I want to try edb, but it won't open even the simplest sample file (names.dat provided with the program). I'm running Debian Woody, and edb was installed with the distribution (or perhaps I apt-get installed it - I don't recall) so I don't think it's a dependency issue. I normally use emacs20, but installed emacs21 and got the same problem. When I issue alt-x db-find-file <enter> then names.dat <enter> I get the following error message:

Can't tell how many fields database has.

The names.fmt file exists (as provided with the program). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

tip184