Question: How do I determine the version of MDAC currently installed on my computer?
Answer: We've found Microsoft's MDAC Component Checker to be easy to use and surprisingly informative. It scans your current files, compares them to those provided with different distributions, reports the closest match, and also tells you which (of any files) have been changed in the interim. The Component Checker also provides extrensive information regarding your current ODBC drivers and OLE DB providers.
Note: The download link provided above is current as of this writing. Keep in mind, however, that Microsoft tends to reorganize their web site from time to time. If the link isn't working by the time you read this, go to search.microsoft.com and then search for MDAC Component Checker.
Using the Component Checker is very straightforward:
Download the current version of Component Checker from Microsoft's Data Access Downloads; it's provided in the form of a self-extracting archive file.
Run the self-extracting archive and enter a location for its files.
When the Component Checker's files are uncompressed, run the ComCheck program. The initial dialog lets you choose from three separate analysis types. Choose the first, as shown in the following screen shot:
The analysis can take some time, especially when run on slower computers. When it finishes, Component Checker reports the MDAC version closest to the one currently installed on your computer, as shown in the following screen shot:
When you close the report dialog, Component Checker provides extensive information that can help you troubleshoot any problems. Microsoft has published a KnowledgeBase article that describes this in more detail.
Tip: A separate Microsoft KnowledgeBase article help troubleshoot MDAC installation problems. They also provide a list of related articles. We've found both very useful. As always, your mileage may vary.
See Also: MDAC: Locating the latest updates and other utilities