Customizing an Access 2000 Runtime installation

[yeatmanj]

I have devoloped a DB in access 2000. I have used developer to create a package that will deploy with the Access 2000 runtime. The problem that I encounter is that most of the users that will be installing this DB are running Office 97. When the Access 2K runtime installs on the system it does not damage the 97 install, it just reassociates all mdb files with the new runtime version.

I need to know how to customize the runtime installer so that it does not replace file associations and does not overwrite the 97 installs. If I should use VB to create the installer using a dependancy lists then I will go that route, but I need to find a good resource for information on creating access runtimes based on dependancies. It would be better if I could just restrict file associations though.

Thanks,
yeatmanj

 

[ElsVanMiert]

The problem is that Windows automatically updates the Registry settings for MDB files once you use a certain version of ACCESS. The only solution is to write an exe or vbs that changes these settings once A2K runtime is closed.

 

[ElsVanMiert]

The missing part:

... is closed from A2K to A97.

 

[yeatmanj]

Well, I was able to solve the problem. I used Wise Package Studio to edit the installer for Access 2000 Runtime, and remove the registry entries from the install. The evaluation version of the software is fully capable of customizing the full install, but of course the creations are not legal for public distribution and sales. But it works none the less.

 

[ElsVanMiert]

Apparently you found the perfect solution for this problem.

 

[legendv]

Does the Access 2000 runtime have to be specific to the DB developed, or is their one "Access 2000 runtime"?

If there is one "Access 2000 runtime", is it as simple as copying the .mde/.mdb and the "Access 2000 runtime" onto another PC and the user can run the DB without Access or Office installed?

If the "Access 2000 runtime" is specific to the DB, what does it take to develop/create/write that? Is it another program besides A2K? I have VB Studio 6.

Obviously I'm quite the novice

Any guidance would be overwhelmingly appreciated.

 

[bradcccs]

To my knowledge:

Access Runtime is a "runtime" version of Access and is not specific to the developed db. However, it does not allow the user to alter forms and structure etc.

Access Runtime is a component of MS Office Developers Edition. The licence for Dev Edt also permits you to distribute the Access Runtime version.

Dev Edt comes with a package wizard that will compile your project along with the runtime files, and produces an installation script. (Your user does not need to do a seperate install of the runtime files).

Check out http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/nhp/default.asp?contentid=28000550 for further info. Look for the Office Developer link on the LHS

Brad.

 

[legendv]

Thank you......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reading the link now.