Database tutorial error (2.1.4)

[eluser]Unknown[/eluser]
Something as simple as $this->load->database(); generates an error stating that database() is being called on a non-object. I've used CI many times... My database settings are correct.. but for some reason this installation doesn't allow any functions to be called on $this object in any model I'm using.

What could be the issue?

thnx..