As you know, one of the concerns over MS Access is the possibility of a user on W2K opening an Access 97 database, encountering the "do you want to convert this DB" message, then logging a helpdesk call, or attempting to convert the database anyway. Although the latter would not damage the original database, in a multi-user case it raises the possibility of data loss through having duplicate copies of the same database.
Up to now, we've accepted that this "convert dialog" message can't be suppressed, and we'd need to manage it through comms or redesign. This was based on a statement from the Microsoft Access 2000 website. However, in the course of some work Monday it's come to light that this is wrong. In fact there is a registry key which can suppress the message. This key is user-based, so it would apply to a given user whichever PC they were on.
With the key set, a user on a W2K PC opening an Access 97 database sees the following:
The database opens normally, with no messages
Data entry and browsing work normally
Icons which perform design changes, as opposed to data changes, are greyed out. So, for example, if you browse the window listing all the forms the "delete" icon is greyed.
Opening a form or table in design view is possible, but changes are ignored
If user persists in trying to change the database's design, there is a longer message which gives instructions how to convert (i.e. close the DB, go to Tools, Database Utilities, Convert Database).
