upgrading from Access 97 - 2002 or 2003?

[ftechguy]

I have two win98 machines running access 97. These two users both work on a shared database. It's a fairly simple database used only for storing records and looking things up for later. These two users are the only ones who work with it.

It's now finally time for an upgrade to an XP machine with either Access 2002 or 2003. Will either of these versions import the v97 database properly. I don't know much about Access or DBs so if something goes wrong, I'm afraid I won't be able to fix it. Can anybody point me to resources regarding upgrading?

I searched the MS knowledge base and found articles relating to multiple versions of access on one system--if this a subject of an article, I'm a bit worried about compatibility.

 

[psemianonymous]

Be worried about Office 2003 - I don't think it works in Windows 98 at all. Access 2002, on the other hand, will work with Win98.

Other than that, converting can range from totally painless to incredibly painful. The big pain: References and/or embedded ActiveX Controls in forms (the most popular: calendar date picker control).

Let me start simpler: the newer versions of Access will be able to convert the old database to the new format (i.e. 2002, 2003 format). BUT they will not update your references and they may not have the same ActiveX controls installed. So it is up to you to fix these things.

The quickest way to check references is to do:
CTRL-G, then go to Tools->References. This is too deep a topic to quickly answer in any complete manner. But that's where you start.

To check ActiveX controls, you're on your own. If you can open a form without it spitting out an error, then you're probably (probably!) good.

A good quick test to find broken things is to try and compile all your forms, code, etc. Press CTRL-G and then type 'runcommand acCmdCompileAndSaveAllModules'. For Access 2002 there is no menu equivalent for this option.

Enjoy.


Pete

 

[psemianonymous]

Also: see this thread (also today!) which has better advice. Whatever applies for Access 2000 also applies for newer versions of Access.

thread181-790272

 

[evalesthy]

Foolio: What was the fix for DateTimePicker from Access 2000 not working in Access 2003? Is there a newer control or did you just delete it and reinstall it or what? Thanks.

 

[psemianonymous]

The datepicker thing comes from me reading questions, not from me answering those questions. The closest I can get to answering you is to say:

1) Tony Toews site:

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/calendars.htm

2) Someone else is going to have to answer this one.


My personal experience with this was bad. I had just learned Access and the calendar control wouldn't work on certain machines. I had no idea why, at the time.

As a favor to those who will maintain my code, I don't use any ActiveX controls, at all, unless absolutely necessary. I make up for the lack of a datepicker control by doing some funky (but maintainable) coding with any date entry.

I found the datepicker control mostly confusing anyway. A lot of people try to click on the date to 'go to records with that date', which is not what happens.

So. I haven't dealt with that issue specifically, for upgrades.


Pete

 

[ftechguy]

foolio, the current PCs will be replaced with brand new XP machines, so 2003 will work. My concern is the changes that MS may have made--and judging from other threads, there are various little things. They probably won't fubar the whole DB but it seems they can certainly do enough to make things tough.
It sure would be nice if ms released some audit tool for these new versions. Even if it wasn't comprehensive, it should help a lot.

 

[KenReay]

Hi

I have done an Acecss97 -> Access2002 conversion or two, with no problems other than references, I am scheduled to do my first Access97 -> Access2003 conversion next week (thur/Fri) so ask me again a week today !!

Regards

Ken Reay
Freelance Solutions Developer
Boldon Information Systems Ltd
Website needs upgrading, but for now -

http://www.kenneth.reay.btinternet.co.uk

UK