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7/31/2006 7:28:36 AM    Package Wizard does not include Service Pack 2
I developer an ADP with Access 2003 and distributed it with a package created 
 
wih Package Wizard from VSTO 2005. 
 
When I tried to install the package onto my customer computer I noticed that 
 
the installed Access 2003 runtime didn't include Service Pack 2003 for Office 
 
2003. 
 
I searched a lot and asked in an italian newsgroup and finally Giorgio Rancati 
 
told me to visi this page: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916176/en-us 
 
I red that SP2 files are not included in the package and that I have to run 
 
a chained installation. This means I have to deploy a package increased by 
 
100 MB for each one of my applications. 
 
Do you know any other solutions? 
 
-- 
 
PBsoft di Gabriele Bertolucci 
 
www.pbsoft.it 
 
skype: pbsoftsolution



8/6/2006 2:41:58 PM    Re: Package Wizard does not include Service Pack 2
I wrote and published (that is, here, search for "Sover" 21/7/06), how to 
 
incorporate later service packs into A2002 Runtime. NOT A2003, which may or 
 
may not be different. 
 
BUT (because it's not very well documented, if at all) I did it by the seat of 
 
my pants, and there's one recent report (Sover) that it does not work (or not 
 
properly). 
 
My method was to extract everything out of the runtime CAB, replace all the 
 
updated files, then rebuild the CAB. Which is great. Except that, Sover 
 
reported there were some new files with a new SP, and since I don't know how 
 
they "fit", and he reported troubles with the newbuilt CAB, then I can only 
 
say there's no real information on it and if my "seat-of-pants" method does 
 
not work then it doesn't (I DONT work for MS or know anything beyond an 
 
average developer). You can (of course) take the principle involved (replace 
 
files with updated ones) and try it. 
 
Because the runtime keeps changing (SP's, new Access versions), at the very 
 
least my method is specific to a particular version. And that was before MS 
 
provided any method at all (the client had to install your s/w and then 
 
immediately upgrade runtime), but now they at least provide a Chain method. 
 
It's a "safer" method, because it's what MS provides, not lil' ol' me. 
 
What is wrong with an extra 100mB? A CD has 600mB, not to mention DVD. If you 
 
want internet download, then even the original runtime is impractical. 
 
For the record, I think Microsoft SUCKS for not providing updated Runtimes 
 
(they did in A2000). But MS has a bad reputation for not taking the concerns 
 
of Developers and Access Runtime into account. I have fought them for years 
 
with Runtime/PDW and got approximately nowhere, in fact one of their employees 
 
has stated that MS would not bother with improving the PDW because you can 
 
purchase a good installer like www.sagekey.com 
 
I'm not specifically referring to ADP, which I don't know much about. 
 
Please try it (the chaining method) FOR US!!! Tell us whether (apart from an 
 
extra 100mB), the process is in any way upsetting for a customer (NOT you!) 
 
Chris 
 
Disclosure of Interest: I still use PDW not Sagekey, and then in A2000 not 
 
later. I know all PDW's are crap, and that I either put up with it or buy 
 
sagekey. My attitude is that I PAID for PDW (but it seems to cut no ice with 
 
the Supplier!). So far as I know, Sagekey provides updated runtimes, though of 
 
course you still need Office Dev for licensing reasons. 
 
"PBsoft" <info@REMOVEpbsoft.it> wrote in message 
 
news:875ea355371738c8829ad589808c@msnews.microsoft.com... 
 
created 
 
Office 
 
Rancati

8/6/2006 3:31:25 PM    Re: Package Wizard does not include Service Pack 2
Ahhhh...another thought (which may be heretical) 
 
(arrgghhhhh...choking sounds...) 
 
Do you know that the A2000 I currently distribute is SP1? It works fine for me 
 
and I have no known reason to upgrade to later SP's! 
 
Do you NEED a later SP? Usually, you can find on MS website an Excel 
 
spreadsheet of the changes. If you are already running successfully without 
 
the SP, then is there any compelling reason to upgrade? 
 
(Well, sometimes I've found some BAD faults, but not always <g>) 
 
(this is not meant as general advice, OF COURSE it's desirable to upgrade. 
 
However, maybe my app sometimes worked reliably BEFORE further upgrade was 
 
available) 
 
Chris