Access Runtime:

[Ed Warren]

I just went through an interesting process. I am evaluating a database
built using Access runtime, using the install program provided by the
vendor, all went well, apparently it installed the runtime package etc. The
application worked fine. But, after I uninstalled their package, my copy of
Access 2003 no longer worked, and had to be reinstalled.

It would appear the runtime install 'messes' about with the full install of
MsAccess program if it is installed. I can see visions of hordes of
dis-satisfied users running about with sharp instruments, if a runtime
application unscrews their full copy of MsAccess.

I would welcome anybody's comments, experience in this area, so I can avoid
a repeat of the above.

Thanks

Ed Warren.

 

[Rick Brandt]

I just went through an interesting process. I am evaluating a
database built using Access runtime, using the install program
provided by the vendor, all went well, apparently it installed the
runtime package etc. The application worked fine. But, after I
uninstalled their package, my copy of Access 2003 no longer worked,
and had to be reinstalled.

It would appear the runtime install 'messes' about with the full
install of MsAccess program if it is installed. I can see visions of
hordes of dis-satisfied users running about with sharp instruments,
if a runtime application unscrews their full copy of MsAccess.

I would welcome anybody's comments, experience in this area, so I can
avoid a repeat of the above.

Thanks

Ed Warren.

I deliver my apps in all versions and never install the runtime on a PC that
has Access on it.

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

I would welcome anybody's comments, experience in this area, so I can
avoid a repeat of the above.

It is important to realize that the runtime is a FULL version of ms-access,
with ONLY THE design stuff disabled. So, make no mistake about this concept
here:

You are installing another version of ms-access.

That means if you got previous version of ms-access, or all of the MANY
problems you have on a machine when two versions are installed will apply to
the runtime.

In some instances, the a2000 runtime was 150 megs in size, and required a
re-boot of your machine. So, do not have ANY fog in your mind:

I will repeat:
the runtime is a version of ms-access, and the problems you
encounter are the SAME as when you install, or put multiple versions of
ms-access on a machine. Many companies requite special permissions, or have
the IT people install office software, and the would also apply to the
ms-access runtime.

As the other poster said, you might want to avoid install ms-access on a
machine that already has ms-access on it. To do other wise, is to ask for
trouble. This advice always applied to regular versions of ms-access, and
the runtime are NO different in this respect. (after all, the runtime is
compatible, and is in fact the same product - so, why would it be different
in this regards?).

About the only approach to avoid problems would be to consider sagekey
custom installs, you can find them here:

www.sagekey.com

 

[Ed Warren]

So, it sounds as if part of the install should be a check to see if the
client machine has access installed, and if so then bypass adding the
runtime package. Since there was no check or option in the install program
am I correct in saying they missed the boat in building and distributing
their application?

I want to avoid the case where software built using a previous version of
Access runtime (e.g. 97 or 2000) clobbers the installation of MsAccess Full
version (which I think happened in the case above).

Thanks for the comments.

Ed Warren.

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

So, it sounds as if part of the install should be a check to see if the
client machine has access installed, and if so then bypass adding the
runtime package. Since there was no check or option in the install
program am I correct in saying they missed the boat in building and
distributing their application?

Yes, or they use a custom install that FORECES the install, and thus they
don't have to worry about their applcation not working.

If you use the supplied tools (which are not great for commercial installs),
the runtime by default does check for a full version, and does not install
if present.

And, perhaps that install was a different version of ms-access...you don't
really know..do you? (and, when it was un-installed, it simply danged your
copy).

 

[Ed Warren]

Looking at the install process I'm thinking they used a custom install as
you noted. They are distributing MsAccess 97 /runtime with the application
and I think it clobbered my Access 2003 install. In any case, I was able to
reinstall and it works fine now.

Now, I'm now forwarned and a little smarter.

Thanks,

Ed Warren.