ACC2: MS Access Version 2.0 Service Pack Questions and Answers (123823)

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computer.

Q. Why is Microsoft releasing a Service Pack for Microsoft Access version 2.0?

A. We are releasing the Microsoft Access version 2.0 Service Pack for several reasons. The Service Pack fixes a harmless but irritating problem that causes an internal database flag that is used to determine the state of data in the database to be erroneously set, sometimes causing the error message "Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA." In order to work around this problem, customers have to run the repair utility on the database, a process that can be lengthy for large databases. The problem does not cause damage to the database or data in it, but can be inconvenient. The Service Pack also includes updated OLE dynamic-link library (DLL) files that allow third-party OLE custom controls to run in Microsoft Access 2.0, updated Paradox, Btrieve, and xBASE ISAM drivers, and an updated Setup Wizard.
Q. Who should install the Service Pack?

A. All Microsoft Access version 2.0 users should install the Service Pack because it corrects problems and enhances certain features. It is particularly important to those who are:

- Involved in multiuser database work.

- Using OLE custom controls in their database applications.

- Working with Btrieve, Paradox, or xBASE data.

The Service Pack is available in all the languages that Microsoft Access is available in. Please contact the Microsoft sales office in your country for more details.
Q. What is included in the Service Pack?

A. The Service Pack includes the latest versions of:

- The Microsoft Jet database engine (version 2.5).

- The OLE DLLs (version 2.02).

- The Btrieve, Paradox, and xBASE ISAM drivers.

The Service Pack also includes an updated Setup Wizard, a brief Readme file, and a Setup program that installs the new files only if it finds Microsoft Access version 2.0 and the Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.0.
Q. What is the Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.5?

A. The Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.5 is an updated version of the database engine that ships with Microsoft Access 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Basic version 3.0. The Microsoft Jet database engine has been modified to enhance database repair functionality and to correct the erroneous setting of an internal database flag that in some cases results in the error message "Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA."

Note that the Visual Basic Compatibility Layer will continue to work seamlessly with this new version of the Microsoft Jet database engine.
Q. What is OLE 2.02?

A. OLE 2.02 is a minor upgrade to the OLE libraries shipped with Microsoft Access 2.0. These new libraries are included primarily because third-party custom controls will expect to find these libraries installed. Developers using third-party controls or controls distributed by other Microsoft products should install these libraries.
Q. How do I obtain the Service Pack?

A. For information about how to obtain the Service Pack, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

122927 WX1124: Microsoft Access Version 2.0 Service Pack
Q. How much does the Service Pack cost?

A. There is no charge for the Service Pack.
Q. Will Microsoft include the Service Pack files in Microsoft Access version 2.0?

A. There are no plans to include this software in Microsoft Access version 2.0.
Q. My company has several workstations that need the Service Pack. Do I have to obtain as many copies of the Service Pack as we have workstations?

A. The Service Pack license allows you to install the software on any workstation that has a valid license for Microsoft Access. You need only obtain one copy of the Service Pack to install it on these computers.
Q. What is the enhanced repair functionality in the Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.5?

A. The Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.5 can repair or recover information in some cases where it was not possible to do so before. For detailed information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

123588 ACC2: Microsoft Access Repair Utility Enhanced

Q. What files are affected by the Microsoft Access version 2.0 Service Pack?

A. The Service Pack updates the following existing files:

         - BTRV200.DLL
         - COMPOBJ.DLL
         - CTL3D.DLL
         - MSAJT200.DLL
         - MSAJU200.DLL
         - MSJETERR.DLL
         - MSJETINT.DLL
         - OLE2.DLL
         - OLE2.REG
         - OLE2CONV.DLL
         - OLE2DISP.DLL
         - OLE2NLS.DLL
         - OLE2PROX.DLL
         - PDX200.DLL
         - STDOLE.TLB
         - STORAGE.DLL
         - TYPELIB.DLL
         - XBS200.DLL

       The Service Pack adds the following new files:

           JETVER.TXT     This file contains code for version verification,
                          which ensures you run the application using the
                          correct version of the Microsoft Jet database
                          engine.

           READSRV.TXT    This file contains information on installing the
                          Service Pack.

Q. Is my Visual Basic installation affected by the Service Pack?

A. No. If you are using the Visual Basic Compatibility Layer (VBCL) and you have updated to the Microsoft Jet database engine version 2.0, the Microsoft Jet database engine will be upgraded for you automatically when you install the Service Pack. Your applications will run without change. If you are using Visual Basic 3.0 and have not installed the VBCL, nothing will be updated.
Q. Is this a new version of Microsoft Access? Is it 32-bit?

A. The Service Pack is not a new version of Microsoft Access, and it is not 32-bit. Rather, it is a free upgrade that updates key components of your current Microsoft Access installation to fix certain problems and augment specific functionality.
Q. If some of my users install the Service Pack and some do not, will there be problems sharing the same databases or applications?

A. No. Users with the Service Pack will be fully interoperable with users who have not installed the Service Pack. The problem that results in the error message "Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA" (as described in question 1) may still occur until all users have installed the Service Pack.
Q. How can I get a complete list of all the problems fixed and differences in the Service Pack?

A. Search in the Microsoft Access Knowledge Base (KB) for "Jet 2.5." To do so, visit the following Microsoft Web address:

http://support.microsoft.com/