How to Repair MDAC 2.8 Under Windows XP with SP2 OR SP3 Installed

General Information
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or 3 contains MDAC version 2.81, which is currently not available for download at the Microsoft Web site as a standalone installation. If you try to install MDAC 2.8, which is the latest available standalone download of MDAC, you will receive a message that you already have a newer version of MDAC installed. Therefore, under Windows XP SP2 or SP3, you must manually repair MDAC 2.81 as outlined below.

How to Repair MDAC 2.81 under Windows XP with SP2 or SP3
1. In Windows Explorer, open the c:\Windows\Inf folder.

Note If you cannot see the c:\Windows\Inf folder, follow these steps: a. On the desktop, double-click My Computer, and then on the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
b. Click the View tab.
c. Under Advanced settings, select the Show hidden files and folders check box.
d. Clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box.
e. Click OK.


2. In the C:\Windows\Inf folder, right-click the Mdac.inf file, and then click Install.

3. When you are prompted to insert the Windows XP SP2 or SP3 CD, use one of the following methods: I. If you have a Windows XP SP2 or SP3 CD:
a. Insert the Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 3 CD in the CD or DVD drive.
Note If a "Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP" message appears, click Exit.
b. Click Browse.
c. In the File name box, type CD or DVD drive that contains the Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD drive letter:\i386. For example, type d:\i386 if the Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD is in drive D.
d. Click Open.

II. If you do not have a Windows XP SP2 or SP3 CD:
a. In the File name box, type %systemroot%\windows\servicepackfiles\i386, and then click Open.
b. When prompted for adcjavas.inc, point to C:\Windows\servicepackfiles\i386

Note: If you cannot find this folder put the Windows CD into your CD drive and browse for that file. If that is not possible, download Windows XP SP2 or SP3 (which ever is installed on your system) and extract/expand the files using the -x option.

c. When prompted for the file handler.reg, either point to C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\msadc, or put the Windows XP CD in your CD-ROM drive.
d. When prompted for MDACRdMe.htm, point to C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Ado. If this file is not present rename the file MDACReadme.htm to MDACRdMe.htm.
e. When prompted for oledbjvs.inc, point to C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Ole DB.
f. When prompted for mssoap1.dll, point to C:\Program Files\Common Files\MSSoap\Binaries.
g. When prompted for mssoapr.dll, point to C:\Program Files\Common Files\MSSoap\Binaries (or locate the file by browsing its subfolders).

4. You may also be prompted for the original Windows XP CD that was used to install the operating system. a. Insert the Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 3 CD in the CD or DVD drive.
Note If a "Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP" message appears, click Exit.
b. Click Browse.
c. In the File name box, type CD or DVD drive that contains the Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD drive letter:\i386. For example, type d:\i386 if the Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD is in drive D.
d. Click Open.


Further Optional Steps
Download and install MS Jet 4.0 Service Pack 8

Run Macropool's MDAC Repair Tool.