Multiple versions?

[Not_A_Real_Programmer]

We have an Access 2000 split db on W2K Pro OS. We are moving to WINXP with
Office 2003. Can the database be used simultaneously by both Access 2000 and
Access 2003 users? Is there a conversion from the 2000 to 2003? If so, can
users be prevented from accidentally converting the db until we are ready?
We plan to update all users at roughly the same time, but plans like that
rarely happen without hitches. Thanks!

 

[Douglas J Steele]

The default file format for Access 2003 (and Access 2002, for that matter)
is the Access 2000 file format, so you should be fine.

If you're making chances to the front-end, I'd advise doing so using Access
2000. There are new features only available in Access 2003 (even when the
database is in Access 2000 file format), and you'd hate to accidentally make
your application unusable to your Access 2000 users.

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

If so, can

users be prevented from accidentally converting the db until we are ready?

Assuming you place the front end part of the split on each pc..you can
actually run mixed versions...

Just make sure you keep the back end in a2000, and then you can run a2000,
a2002, and a2003 on each computer.

Note that the front end does need to be on each machine when you do
this...however, this requirement of placing the FE on each machine is still
done even when they are all running the same version.

We plan to update all users at roughly the same time, but plans like that
rarely happen without hitches.

If you keep the back end in access 97, then you can actually run all 4
versions all at the same time.......

 

[Tony Toews]

We have an Access 2000 split db on W2K Pro OS. We are moving to WINXP with
Office 2003. Can the database be used simultaneously by both Access 2000 and
Access 2003 users?

Yes. A2000 and A2003 front end users can simultaneously access an
A2000 backend

Is there a conversion from the 2000 to 2003? If so, can
users be prevented from accidentally converting the db until we are ready?
We plan to update all users at roughly the same time, but plans like that
rarely happen without hitches.

Does each user have their own copy of the FE?

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Not_A_Real_Programmer]

Does each user have their own copy of the FE?

Tony
--

Not currently. I am pushing for that, and our new netadmin will do it
before we implement for the next school year. I plan to show him your
utility for updating the FE.

With everyone using the same FE on the server, could that present problems
by using both versions to open the same FE? IF so, I could push for the
individual FE's before we reimage computers.

 

[Douglas J Steele]

Not currently. I am pushing for that, and our new netadmin will do it
before we implement for the next school year. I plan to show him your
utility for updating the FE.

With everyone using the same FE on the server, could that present problems
by using both versions to open the same FE? IF so, I could push for the
individual FE's before we reimage computers.

You could run into problems with the References collection. While some of
the Office references are "self-healing", other references can cause
problems if the version of the referenced file is different between
machines.

 

[Tony Toews]

Not currently. I am pushing for that, and our new netadmin will do it
before we implement for the next school year. I plan to show him your
utility for updating the FE.

With everyone using the same FE on the server, could that present problems
by using both versions to open the same FE? IF so, I could push for the
individual FE's before we reimage computers.

Absolutely. Sharing front ends leads to all kinds of weird messages
and greatly increased chances of corruptions in the front end. Let
alone the references problem Doug mentions.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm