Distribute to many versions of access

[Rachael]

Hi All,

Having written and distributed a A2K database about five years ago and now with over 300 clients, I am needing to update everyone to 2007 (and make some money). Given that all these clients have the full spectrum of OS and access versions or sometimes no access my questions are:

Can I send them a 2007 version of the database and force the database to run using the 2007 runtime regardless of what they have on their computers?

Will the 2007 runtime conflict with any other versions of access say if a client is using 2003?

Will the 2007 runtime work on computers using Windows ME, 2000 or 98 as I believe you need atleast XP for 2007?

Will the digital certificate that comes with the 2007 developer extensions work to allow the code to run as trusted without the client having to go and set the folder as trusted?


Is there any other issues that Im not aware of?

Thank you kindly for looking at my questions, I really appreciate it.

Rachael

 

[Oldsoftboss]

A 2003 runs OK on A2007, and is more widely used at the moment. One thing to consider is database security. Hiding the Db window, making your own menu's etc all seem useless in A2007 as it uses ribbons and your custom menus will appear under the "AddIns" tab.

Dave

 

[Rachael]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your response, what about running 2007 databases on machines with 2003 or older versions or possibly 2000 runtime?

Thanks, Rachael

 

[boblarson]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your response, what about running 2007 databases on machines with 2003 or older versions or possibly 2000 runtime?

Thanks, Rachael

You would need to use the Access 2007 runtime for that (which is free here:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/office/aa905400.aspx )

 

[Rachael]

Thanks Bob for your response, do you know if the 2007 runtime will conflict with full versions of access say if my client has an older full version or 2000 runtime.

Through experience in distributing to clients all over the place I found that anyone who had the 2000 runtime on their computer and then went and installed a full version of Office (inc access) my database would no longer run 'cos it seemed as though it didn't know which MSACCESS.EXE to use. When one or the other was removed then all was OK again.

Thank you, Rachael

 

[boblarson]

Thanks Bob for your response, do you know if the 2007 runtime will conflict with full versions of access say if my client has an older full version or 2000 runtime.

Through experience in distributing to clients all over the place I found that anyone who had the 2000 runtime on their computer and then went and installed a full version of Office (inc access) my database would no longer run 'cos it seemed as though it didn't know which MSACCESS.EXE to use. When one or the other was removed then all was OK again.

Thank you, Rachael

I'm unable to tell you the answer to that. I haven't had any experience with using multiple runtime versions. Hopefully someone else might chime in. If you don't get any response to that question, after waiting a little while, you might consider posting that specific question as a separate thread.

 

[Oldsoftboss]

When installing is it possible to check if access is installed on a machine, and then verify which version? From there the installer could either install you Db or install a run time version. Just thinking out loud.

I know A2007 is a different format than earlier versions. When saving the Db you can choose to save it as A2003 file format. This might be a better option as A2007 is still pretty new and I am sure as a few yet unfound bugs.

Dave

 

[Oldsoftboss]

Hey Racheal, I see you are from Victoria. May I ask where? As you can see my location is listed as in the shed, but my shed is in Bendigo!!

 

[Rachael]

Hi Dave,

I think we've had this conversation before, I'm over in the King Valley halfway between Wangaratta, Benalla and Mansfield up at Whitlands.

Thanks for your comments regarding my issue here, problem is I'm upgrading from 2000 not 2003 and I'm thinking that if I can get the 2007 version running well then thats all good but as I have many clients who might have 2000 or 2003 or whatever then can I still install the 2007 runtime and force my database to use it regardless of what the client has and not conflict with anything else.

I hope I make sense 'cos I feel like I'm going round in circles abit, this database distribution business to people I never meet is a bit nerve racking!!

Cheers Rachael