Multiple versions of Access

[Catherine Robertson]

Our firm std is to run Access XP. Unfortunately, one of
our vendors is still using Access 97 to pass through to an
Oracle database. Is there any way to install two different
versions of Access on the same workstation without
confusing the software?

Thanks

 

[Van T. Dinh]

Others have reported installing A97, A2K and AXP on the
same PC without any problem.

It is important to install them inchronological order,
i.e. A97 first, A2K 2nd and AXP last and install each of
them in a separate directory.

See also Microsoft KB article:

<http://support.microsoft.com/?id241141>

HTH
Van T. Dinh
MVP (Access)

 

[Luiz Cláudio C. V. Rocha]

Hi Catherine,

you can install two versions of Access in a workstation.
When running the instalation CD, you just have to choose a
different folder to install each version of MS-Office (if
Access97 is installed in c:\Program Files\Microsoft
Office, you can install Access 2000 in c:\Program
Files\Microsoft Office 2000, for example).

When Access97 is opened, the computer understands that any
MDB file should be opened by Access97, so the user will
try to open a 2000 database and will get a message
like "unrecognized database format". Also, when Access2000
is opened, the computer understands that any MDB file
should be opened by Access2000, and if the user tries to
open a 97 file, he will be asked to convert it.

How to deal with that?
1st alternative: open the correct Access version, and only
then open the file.
2nd alternative: create shortcuts pointing to the correct
EXE file, example:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2000
\Office\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\YourFolder\YourDatabase.mdb"

[]
Luiz Cláudio C. V. Rocha
São Paulo - Brazil

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

Also, in the Access 97 version, open MSACESS.SRG
and delete all or most of the file contents.

This will prevent Access XP from having to 're-install'
after using A97.

(david)

 

[David Aylott]

There is a third option!!

You may like to try this shareware utility:

ACCVER - Allows you to work with
multiple versions of MS Access databases.
Detects the version of Access used to create
your MDB, MDE or MDA files and either reports
the version number or starts the appropriate
version of MS Access.
An additional option allows you to compact
the database from a right-click menu item.
Windows Software from Aylott Computing.

Pick up a copy from:

http://www.aylott.com.au/software.htm

When Access97 is opened, the computer understands that any
MDB file should be opened by Access97, so the user will
try to open a 2000 database and will get a message
like "unrecognized database format". Also, when Access2000
is opened, the computer understands that any MDB file
should be opened by Access2000, and if the user tries to
open a 97 file, he will be asked to convert it.

How to deal with that?
1st alternative: open the correct Access version, and only
then open the file.
2nd alternative: create shortcuts pointing to the correct
EXE file, example:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2000
\Office\MSACCESS.EXE" "C:\YourFolder\YourDatabase.mdb"

,-._|\ David Aylott (Author of Access Version Checking utility)
/ Oz \ (e-mail address removed) (Melbourne, Australia)
\_,--.x/ Shareware, FAQ, hints & tips at:
v http://www.aylott.com.au/