Can Windows 2000 be used as a development platform while targetting
Win98 [for end users of the program?] Specifically, is it 1) possible
to compile a project (under 2000) using VB6, and 2) build an install
(under 2000) using Microsoft's "Package and Deploymment Wizard" and
have both the compiled .EXE and the install program work OK under
Windows 98?

Hi docbencrazy-ga,
    Rest assured about your choice of Windows 2000 as your development
platform. To answer your questions :

  1) Is it possible to compile a project(under 2000)using VB6 ?
     Absolutely! VB6 runs perfectly well under Windows 2000/XP. You
can open/create/compile the same projects you used under Win9x/Me
without any problems. Just make sure that you have admin privileges on
Win2K/XP when you are installing VB6 on your computer, as the
installation may need to update several system files.

  2)Can I build an install (under 2000) using Microsoft's "Package and
Deploymment Wizard" and have both the compiled .EXE and the install
program work OK under
Windows 98 ?
     Again, the answer is yes, with a few reservations :
     - Firstly, the exe you create will work fine on all Windows
platforms, unless you are using direct calls to certain Win32 API
functions available only under Win2K/XP. Such Win32 API calls will
fail under Win 9x/Me. However, if you stick to plain VB, you will have
no problems.
     - Secondly, although you can use the Package & Deployment Wizard
to create VB Setups which run on all versions of Windows, I recommend
that you switch to the free Microsoft Visual Studio Installer (VSI).
       If you have been taking a look at the setup programs of most
new applications, you will notice that they are using the new
Microsoft Windows installer technology. Setups created by the Package
& Deployment Wizard do not make use of the Windows Installer, while
the VSI does. Setups created with the Visual Studio Installer provide
advanced capabilities such as centralized distribution for maintenance
and updates, application self-repair, and powerful installation
rollback facilities. Plus VSI integrates into the Visual Studio shell,
and is as easy to use as the Package & Deployment Wizard. You can
download the Visual Installer from :
    - Microsoft Visual Installer 1.1 Home Page
      ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/downloads/tools/vsi11/default.asp
)

   Also, regardless of which platform you are running VB6 under, I
highly recommend that you download and install the VB6 Service Pack 5.
It fixes a number of bugs in VB6, and will save you lots of headaches
when you are developing your applications.
   - Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 Service Pack 5 (SP5) 
    ( msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/downloads/updates/sp/vs6/sp5/default.asp
)

If you decide to use the Visual Studio Installer instead of the
deployment wizard, you will also need the following files after
installing Service Pack 5.
   - Windows Installer Merge Modules Download - English
     ( msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/downloads/updates/sp/vs6/sp5/mmenglish.asp
)

I hope the above answered all your questions.
If you need any clarifications, just ask!
Happy VB Coding!
:)

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Google Groups Search Terms Used :
        vb6 package deployment wizard "under windows 2000" 98
        vb6 visual installer created on a windows 2000  98