How do I create a runtime version of an Access 2000 database?

[Dave Delo]

Hi folks,

I apologise for the perhaps simplicity of this question, but I was wondering
if you'd be kind enough to help me out with some information.

I work for the UK Prison service & our MS Office install allegedly includes
MS Access 2000 Runtime. I have persuaded the powers that be to let me have
the full version of Access so that I can develop my own databases & reports
to make my life simpler yet more productive & accurate.

My boss has seen the databases that I developed and wants to have my
colleagues in other prisons using them too, but we cannot get full Access
rolled out to the other prisons (and wouldn't want to as they are not Access
developers).

When I take my .mdb file and load it onto another workstation where only
runtime is loaded, although my database shows up with its proper icon, when
you double-click it just opens an empty dos window.

From reading various posts on newsgroups & discussion boards I gather that I
need to use a runtime version packager and that this license is included with
the full version of MS Access and only needs to be separately loaded onto my
system.

I cannot seem to get our IT Helpdesk people to understand this so I was
hoping you would be able to tell me exactly what I need to ask them for in
language that IT helpdesk people should understand. Although I'm reasonably
proficient in the MS Office packages, I'm not IT trained and therefore get
lost in some of the more technical & "official" jargon.

Any help would be desperately appreciated!

Many thanks for at least reading this far.

Yours,

Dave Delo, FCMA
Head of Finance & Procurement
HMP Grendon & Springhill

 

[Chris Mills]

You are in no position to offer such services if you don't understand the
basics of MS-Access, I'm afraid to say.

Any developer needs a full copy of Microsoft Access. Runtime is a licensing
method of distributing it to those who don't have or want to buy full Access.
If you are considering distribution, you need Office Developer (or for Access
2003 it's called something else).

You really can't ask such questions and think you are nearly ready to
distribute. For instance, the packager (PDW) which comes with Office Developer
is proven woefully inadequate, as posts in these newsgroups will attest. Are
you ready to handle the issues arising?

You need Office Developer or equivalent. Just to experiment, let alone before
contemplating any distribution.

Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?
Answer: Improving your knowledge does, not your boss's grand plans.

One major thing you will need to get your head around, is what version of
Access are you talking about and what do the other sites have? This is a
perennial question and a really big nuisance. There are ways around it, but
nothing is as simple as a single post.

You'd be lucky to come across less than 50 issues for any given scenario. In
deference to Microsoft, that's standard for computers however...

Chris