How to ReInstall MDAC 2.8 RTM (Window XP SP2)

[randem]

I know this isn't exactly the place for this but here it is:

If your MDAC on XP gets corrupted you cannot just download MDAC 2.8 RTM and re-install it. XP will not allow this. XP will complain that it is already installed.

This is how to repair MDAC 2.8 on WinXP with SP2 installed

Right click on the file c:\windows\inf\mdac.inf, then select install.
When prompted for a location, Choose c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386 then XP will ask for the cd for XP, Use the original CD or the location c:\i386. This will re-install the MDAC that came with Windows XP, SP2.

[Hack]

I know this isn't exactly the place for this but here it is:

If your MDAC on XP gets corrupted you cannot just download MDAC 2.8 RTM and re-install it. XP will not allow this. XP will complain that it is already installed.

This is how to repair MDAC 2.8 on WinXP with SP2 installed

Right click on the file c:\windows\inf\mdac.inf, then select install.
When prompted for a location, Choose c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386 then XP will ask for the cd for XP, Use the original CD or the location c:\i386. This will re-install the MDAC that came with Windows XP, SP2.

Good tip!

[si_the_geek]

There's a few good tips coming up lately, it's time for me to get the FAQ going!

I've already started creating it (there are a few being made for this site at the moment), and will move this thread to the appropriate place when it becomes public. Depending on various factors, it may take a while for this to happen.



If you want to post more hints/tips, just create a new thread in this forum (I'll move it later!). Here's the guide for FAQ posting:

If you want to add something new to the FAQ, then please follow these guidelines:

1. The question has to be concise and self-explaining.
2. Identify the domain the question (and answer) belong to. Like for example "Visual Basic .NET", "APIs", "Richedit", "Graphics", etc. Put this in front of the question in the post's title. (in this case, "Database Development")
3. Try to provide a clear answer to the question.
4. Answers that are short and precise are very welcome. Answers which go into the details and provide a good explanation are nice bonus.

If you notice appropriate existing threads (or signature links), please PM me the link

[javier_sa]

You first need to download download mdac 2.8 sp1 and right mouse click on the file and select compatibility and select windows 2000. Select apply then ok. This should fix your problem.

[faizmk]

I know this isn't exactly the place for this but here it is:

If your MDAC on XP gets corrupted you cannot just download MDAC 2.8 RTM and re-install it. XP will not allow this. XP will complain that it is already installed.

This is how to repair MDAC 2.8 on WinXP with SP2 installed

Right click on the file c:\windows\inf\mdac.inf, then select install.
When prompted for a location, Choose c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386 then XP will ask for the cd for XP, Use the original CD or the location c:\i386. This will re-install the MDAC that came with Windows XP, SP2.

I just wanna salute on this superb solution! I just installed vwd and started playing around with db until it gave me an error saying I'm using MDAC version 2.5.

Apparently I'm using Windows XP and when i checked the registry, my rollback version is 2.7! (weird when your rollback is actually more recent version).

I was looking around forums and ms support on how to reinstall or rollback to 2.7 and yours is the only one i found that actually work! i tried installing from the redistributables but to no avail.. giving me crap unsucessful messages.

Anyway, this is a very good tip.