BUG: Error "Unable to Register MSADO15.TLB" If You Use a PDW Package to Install a VB Application

When you use a package that you created with the Package and Deployment Wizard (PDW) to install a Visual Basic application, you may receive the following error message (or similar) during the installation: This error message may reference any of the following files:

• MSADO15.TLB
• MSADO20.TLB
• MSADO21.TLB
• MSADO25.TLB

The Package and Deployment Wizard adds the type library (.tlb) file to the package because the type library is referenced in your project. The PDW also erroneously assigns the $(DLLSelfRegister) registration macro to the type library in the Setup.lst file that is created for your installation package.

Most commonly, this problem occurs when your Visual Basic project contains a reference to a version of ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) that is earlier than the latest installed version. The reference for the latest installed version of ADO points to MSADO15.DLL. Earlier version references point to the above-mentioned ADO type library files.

This file does not need to be explicitly included in your package. If you have a reference to an ADO type library in your project, you are utilizing ADO in your application and must distribute Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC_TYP.EXE). The only exception is if you can guarantee that the correct version of MDAC will already be installed on your target computers. Because the MDAC installer includes the type library, there is no reason to include it specifically.

There are several ways to resolve this problem. Which method you use depends on your circumstances and whether it is convenient for you to repackage the application. In Resolutions 1 and 2, you do not have to repackage the application. Resolutions 3, 4, and 5 require repackaging. Resolutions 4 and 5 are the only long-term fixes and are recommended.

Resolution 1

1. Locate the Setup.lst file for your package.
2. In any text editor, open Setup.lst.
3. In Setup.lst, locate the line that references the ADO type library that is referenced in the error. If you are using Notepad, you can search for the file name.
4. Change $(DLLSelfRegister) to $(TLBRegister).
5. Save the file, and try the installation again.

Resolution 2

1. Locate the Setup.lst file for your package.
2. In any text editor, open Setup.lst.
3. In Setup.lst, locate the line that references the ADO type library that is referenced in the error. If you are using Notepad, you can search for the file name.
4. Delete this line from Setup.lst.
5. Make sure that the File##= statements are sequential, and, if necessary, renumber the lines after the line that you deleted.
6. Save the file, and try the installation again.

Resolution 3

1. Start the Package and Deployment Wizard, and open the Package script if it was saved.
2. Complete the steps in the wizard until you reach the Package and Deployment Wizard - Included Files page.
3. Clear the check box next to the ADO type library that is referenced in the error message.
4. Complete the steps to repackage the application, and try the installation again.

Resolution 4

1. Locate the VB6DEP.ini file. By default, this file is located in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\VB98\Wizards\PDWizard\ folder.
2. In any text editor, open VB6DEP.ini.
3. Locate the [Do Not Redistribute] section.
4. Add the following lines to the [Do Not Redistribute] section:

   MSADO15.TLB=
   MSADO20.TLB=
   MSADO21.TLB=
   MSADO25.TLB=
   						

5. Save the file, and close the text editor.
6. Repackage your application, and try the installation again.

NOTE: This method prevents the problem from reoccurring.

Resolution 5

1. Open your project in Visual Basic.
2. From the Project menu, click References. Note the version of Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects Library that is selected, and select the check box for the ADO reference. If the reference points to a .tlb file, clear the check box. Scroll the list to find the other versions of ADO, select the latest version that points to MSADO15.DLL, and click OK.
3. Test the project to confirm that the ADO features still work properly.
4. Save the project, and then build the EXE.
5. Repackage your application, and try the installation again.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Package and Deployment Wizard for Visual Basic 6.0.

The error is raised because the PDW attempts to use $(DLLSelfRegister) for type libraries rather than $(TLBRegister). However, if you receive this error during installation, it does not necessarily mean that the installation will fail. It also does not mean that the application will not run after installation. This error does indicate that you may have a different version of the ADO type library referenced in your project than you are distributing with your application. This can potentially cause other problems, so Microsoft recommends that you verify the version information. See the "References" section for additional information.

For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: