Using MSDE 2000 Release A with my Custom VB 6.0 Application (PDW or Visual Installer

[Aowl]

Hello IT Pro,
Please can anyone give a thorough guideline on how to package my VB 6.0 Application with MSDE 2000 (Also including my Custom Database) so that my clients gets the CD and install without my being there for assistance
Please help

[dilettante]

Be warned that MSDE 2000 is not supported in recent editions of Windows.

Also, while many people seem to think MSDE/SQL Server Express is a clever alternative to Jet others question its use in shrinkwrap software. It installs yet another parasitic Service on users' machines, version conflicts abound, and it may interfere with SQL Server client components used to support corporate applications.

For desktop applications you might consider SQL Server Compact instead. It is often a more appropriate and less intrusive option, leading to fewer support calls.


To answer the original question you might begin with Using SQL Server Desktop Engine Merge Modules. This presumes that you are creating Windows Installer packages, of course. You can do this using Visual Studio Installer 1.1.

Be sure to note the warnings about installing MSDE 2000a in this manner.

Microsoft found out early on that the MSDE/SQL Server Express concept could not be treated as "fire (install) and forgetware." It requires management and should be installed as a separate product. In corporate settings installation of these products is often blocked by GPO because of the support headaches it can create. This is why SQL Server Compact was back-ported (redeveloped) to Windows from its origin on Windows CE.


Further caution: even SQL Server Compact has the serviceability problems of MSDE/SQL Server Express when you attempt an integrated install.

Administrator privileges are required on the machine for installing SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition. Independent Software Vendors and application developers redistributing SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition components or DLL’s as part of their application will need to take care of the serviceability of SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition components. Microsoft Update can only service SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition components that are deployed by using the installer - SQLServerCE31-EN.msi.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition


These are just a few of the reasons why Jet is still the superior choice for a desktop application's embedded database.

[Aowl]

Hi Thanks for your support,
Please how can i attach my database to my custom VB 6.0 application while i change to VB dot net.
My aim is to incorporate my VB 6.0 Application with my SQL Server Database(I currently use SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine).
I have tried using MDSE 2000 but didn't get the procedures well or someone suggested trying SQL Server 2005 compact, please how do i go about it.
I need help pls

[dilettante]

I'm surprised nobody has offered more details on the process. I suspect not many people have done it before... at least I saw nothing in the FAQs here on the subject but maybe I have missed it.

Another place you might start investigating if you wanted to use the PDW is the article: HOW TO: Deploy Your MSDE 2000 Solution with the Package and Deployment Wizard. But perhaps you have already read that before you asked your question here.

MSDE/SQL Server Express seem quite popular on this site. Perhaps you just need to give people more time to notice your question here and provide more of a cookbook answer.

Good luck.