Error Message - trying to join table

[HelenWillis]

I am trying to join an excel table to a layer file and get a message - Failed to connect to database. the user and/or password is invalid.  Cannot start your application. The workgroup information file is missing or opened exclusively by another user.

I am on 10.2.2 - table is an .xls table.

I have tried a new .mxd, altenate tables, saved the table to the local drive - all produce the same error message.

This was working on Friday afternoon and Monday - not working 😞

[HelenWillis]

My IT people did that this morning - installed 2007 driver - I am on 2010, have excel installed.  This didn't fix the error.

I have joined this table for varying data layers for years and never had a problem until 2 days ago.

I have not changed passwords or protected anything.  It was working on Friday and now it isn't.