Multiple Versions of ACCESS on Same PC

[wilderfan]

A few months ago I installed Office 2007 on my home PC and uninstalled Office 2003.

I am contemplating the re-installation of ACCESS 2003 on my home PC, but don't want to disturb my Office 2007 install.


QUESTION: Is it possible to have both versions of ACCESS (2003 & 2007) on my PC without creating problems for myself?


NOTE: I have two hard drives on my PC (C drive, the newer one; and E drive from my last PC). Perhaps I should install ACCESS 2003 on the E drive?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

The biggest problem will be references. I'm not sure Ac2k3 and Ac2k7 work correctly together with regard to references. The many .DLL files that underly various aspects of operation might not be compatible between versions. I know my wife had a helluva time running Ac98 and Ac2k together, which was only two versions apart.

I'm not on a system where I can easily check this, either. We have only one version of MSO on our systems and I don't have an older kit I could use to check this. The issue is whether the references are in the registry rooted to the specific version of Office or whether they are in a generic section.

Any other forum members know that one?

 

[pbaldy]

It's certainly possible; I have 2000 and 2007 on a machine, and I know others have even more versions on 1 PC. Generally I think they're supposed to be installed in order (oldest first), and that's how I did mine. I've seen KB's on the MS site about this type of thing but can't find it right off. I'll poke around some more.

 

[pbaldy]

Ah, found a couple:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928091

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/870961

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292491

 

[gemma-the-husky]

i have a97, a2002XP, a2003 and A2007 on my machine

they work harmoniously ... except for A2007

when you launch A2007, it reinstalls itself when you run it - you know configuring office etc. after that its OK

but, then when you load A2003, it makes A2003 do the same thing, ie reconfigure itself .... and then A2007 has to reconfigure again

so
A97, A2000, A2003, all coexist peacefully

A2007 works ok, but throws up this issue

 

[pbaldy]

Yes, and I've heard that derisively referred to as the Access 2007 "coffee break". Interesting that running 2003 after 2007 does it. When I run 2000 after 2007 it loads instantly. Only going from 2000 to 2007 do I get the coffee break. In any case, it is not an error, just a "feature".

 

[wilderfan]

Thanks to everyone for the advice / info.

I will attempt a limited custom re-install of ACCESS 2003 in the next few days.

Cheers!