MS confesses that using MSDE has disadvanages.
They now provide a FREE alternative SQL EXPRESS
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbrun/vbfu...s/default.aspx

It can be used by VB6 (and VB.NET).

If anyone tries it, can they provide feedback ?

PS I have posted it here, as I assume that the majority of posters (in here), use DBs. They may not notice it in the lower fequency DB forum.