Posted Date: January 30, 1995

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Microsoft Access Version 2.0 Service Pack Q&A

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

We have chosen to release this Service Pack for Microsoft Access version 2.0 for several reasons: first it fixes an irritating, yet harmless bug (An internal database flag that is used to determine the state of the data in the database was not being cleared as frequently as it should have been and in some cases would result in the message "Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA.". In order to get around this bug, customers had to run repair on the database, which could be a very time consuming task.) This bug caused no damage to data or applications contained in an .mdb file, yet was very inconvenient for our customers. Second, we have included updated OLE libraries which will allow third-party OLE custom controls (.OCXs) to run in Access 2.0. We also included an updated setup wizard and updated Paradox, Btrieve and .DBF drivers.

2. Who needs the Service Pack?

All Microsoft Access version 2.0 users should install the Service Pack, because it corrects problems and adds new features. It is particularly important to those who are:·

Involved in multi-user database work.

· Using OLE custom controls in their database applications.

· Working with Btrieve, Paradox, or xBASE data.

The Service Pack will be localized into all the same languages that Access 2.0 is available in. Please contact the Microsoft sales office in your country for more details.

3. What's in the Microsoft Access version 2.0 Service Pack?

The latest version of the Jet database engine (version 2.5) including new Paradox, Btrieve, and .DBF drivers, the newest OLE libraries, a new setup wizard, a brief readme file, and a Setup program that will install the files only if it finds Access 2.0 / Jet 2.0.

4. What is Jet 2.5?

Jet 2.5 is an updated version of the database engine that ships with Access 2.0 and Visual Basic 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 message "Couldn't open SYSTEM.MDA."

Note: The Visual Basic 3.0/Access 2.0 compatibility layer will continue to work seamlessly with this new version of Jet.

5. What is OLE 2.02?

OLE 2.02 is a minor upgrade to the OLE libraries shipped with Access 2.0 (which are called OLE 2.01). The primary reason for including these new libraries is that third-party .OCX custom controls will expect to find these libraries installed. Any developers using third-party controls or controls distributed by other MS products should first install these libraries.

6. How do I get the Service Pack?

There are several ways to obtain the Service Pack:

1. Internet ACCSVC.EXE

2. CompuServe (MSACCESS forum and MSL)

3. Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) (1-206-936-6735)

4. Fastips (1-800-936-4100)

5. GEnie

6. America On-line

7. Microsoft Sales Information Center (1-800-426-9400)

International customers must contact their local subsidiary for the localized version. Microsoft cannot mail these disks overseas. This service pack will be localized into the same languages that Microsoft Access is available in.

7. How much does it cost?

There is no charge for the service pack.

8. Will Microsoft slipstream this new version into Access 2.0?

There are no plans at this time to include this software into Access version 2.0.

9. My company has lots of workstations that need this software. Do I need to acquire lots of copies of the service pack?

The license in the service pack allows you to install the software onto any workstation that has a valid license for Microsoft Access. You need to obtain only one copy of the service pack to install it on any of these machines.

10. What is the enhanced repair functionality in Jet?

Jet can now repair or recover information in some cases where it was not possible to do so before. For more detailed information, please search Microsoft's Knowledge Base.

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

These existing files are updated when the service pack is installed:

· 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

These new files are installed when the service pack is installed:

· JETVER.TXT

· READSRV.TXT

12. Is my Visual Basic installation affected by this Service Pack?

No. If you are using the compatibility layer and have updated to the version 2.0 Jet engine, the Jet engine will be upgraded automatically for you, upon installation of the Service Pack. Your applications will run without change. If you are using Visual Basic 3.0 and have not installed the compatibility layer, nothing will be updated.

13. Is this a new version of Access? Is it 32-bit?

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.

14. If some of my users install the Service Pack and some do not, will there be problems working on the same databases or applications?

No. Users with the Service Pack will be fully interoperable with users who have not installed it. The problem that is described in question #1 may still occur until all users have installed the Service Pack.

15. Where can I get a complete list of all of the differences/bugs fixed?

Search in the Microsoft Access Knowledge Base (KB) for "Jet 2.5". You can obtain the KB Help files either by calling the Microsoft FastTips system (see phone number above) and having disks mailed to you, or by downloading the files from one of the services listed below:

Once you log on to the service with your account information, follow these instructions to find the KB:

- On CompuServe, type "GO MSKB" (without quotation marks)

- On GEnie, type "M 505" (without quotation marks)

- On Internet, look in DESKAPPS\ACCESS\KB\README.TXT

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