How does one access the data base in Regional Diagnostics in the very first level??? Tried EVERY key available and nothing in options menu.

This is TOTALLY not a big deal. It's actually a location, and like most things, it's activated by approaching the consoles and such. As I recollect, anyway. I'll go over the level again.
The point is, you have to get there, and then it's really just a matter of bopping around and listening to the voiceover of the backstory.

Edit: Yeah, the only buttons needed for this are the directional keys. Just walk upstair, go around the catwalk, walk past the guy who says "Welcome to Regional Diagnostics," and that center console can be accessed from all four sides for four different things.