Where are the Runtime files installed? - microsoft.public.access

Message from discussion Where are the Runtime files installed?

Albert D.Kallal

View profile

More options Dec 7 2005, 10:42 am

Newsgroups: microsoft.public.access

From: "Albert D.Kallal" <PleaseNOOOsPAMmkal...@msn.com>

Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2005 16:42:02 -0700

Local: Wed, Dec 7 2005 10:42 am

Subject: Re: Where are the Runtime files installed?

  Forward
  | Print
  | View thread
  | Show original
  | Report this message
  | Find messages by this author
  

"Windsailor" <Windsai...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:92E40403-720D-45ED-854A-AB6152FB2C90@microsoft.com...

> Well,
> When I installed the A2003 runtime on my machine ( I have Office 2003 with
> the Access Developer Extensions, I wanted to find out where it installed
> to.
> ) it finished installing and was listed in my 'Add Remove Programs' list.
> After a brief search, I wasn't able to figure where it was installed.

As mentioned, since the installer found the full version..it skips the
install. However, you can STILL use the reg key I mentioned in the original
post to find out where it goes. The default as mentioned is

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE"

> One reason for why I was asking is that I deploy packages with the
> runtime,
> and knowing where the Access 2003 runtime was installed to using the
> default
> setup; I could target the .exe in the shortcut for the application.

Well, the path name is as above (as I mentioned). So, your shortcuts need to
point to the above.

And, further, the above path name is also used by the package wizard to
generate shortcuts.
In fact, the path name for shortcuts is hard coded to the above..and that is
why the p&d generates incorrect shortcuts

So, if you need to generate shortcuts, then use the reg key I mentioned (my
inno scripts use this key).

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE,
'SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Access\InstallRoot\', 'path'

So, the p&d does install ms-access.exe to the same "non" default directory
as the version of office installed (*if* a non default dir was used), but
does NOT generate correct shortcuts when this happens. So, just use the
above key to gen your shortcuts.

> I wanted to be sure that
> the runtime was not installed in the same folder.
> I have read items on other forums stating this should be done if more than
> one version of Access exists on a computer.

Yes, for years this was a problem. Access 95, access 97, and access 2000 all
default to:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\MSACCESS.EXE"

If you install one version + another to the same dir..you made a REAL mess.
So, prior to a2002, it was VERY important to choose a custom install and set
the directory.

Starting with a2002, they started separating this mess out, and as
mentioned, you now get:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE10\MSACCESS.EXE" (a2002)

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE" (a2003)

So, each version of office now users its own dir. This means the a2003
runtime is far better in this regards.

> Is there any way to direct the installation of the runtime to a custom
> folder?

Well, not by using the package wizard (no..). You *mght* be able to use a
comand line switch (I think you can...but I don't know).

You can certainly download the orca tools and "edit" the resulting msi
script that the package wizard creates. However, it is somewhat convoluted
to modify that MSI file with ORCA (that MSI file is HUGE!!). You can also
assign your "own" file extensions by using ORCA also. In fact, I just been
too busy to sit down and do this. Doing this would give one a rather nice
and separate install..and one that likely would NOT bother/damage existing
ms-access versions.

There is also a open source installer from Microsoft (yes..you read that
right!!) that will apparently read msi files into a xml file..and create a
install for you. I not tired that either but this also has great potential
to allow us to build our own nice install scripts (I almost certain this is
the way to build a great runtime install --- no time for me to tackle
this..but I will...)..

As I mentioned, right now I use Inno to build my desktop shortcuts because
the a2003 does generate incorrect desktop shortcuts in the case that office
is installed to a non default directory.

For me..I just too short of time right now to deal with this..but I will
eventually...

If you are looking for some scripts give you independently installs, then
your only choice is

www.sagekey.com

--
Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
pleaseNOOSpamKal...@msn.com
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal

> Any suggestions?

Forward