DfE LRS Software

[Jawloms]

One of our guys uses a bit of software from the DfE which I don't know a great deal about. LRS Batch Validation Tool. It complains on running that;

 

An unexpected error occurred while parsing the rules file. Please contact LRS Support.

Error details:The 'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0' provider is not registered on the local machine.

 

 

 

I have contacted LRS Support and they've told me to install the "Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable", which for me is installing parts of Office 2010, which is no longer supported or patched, and makes 2010 updates appear in WSUS again. I kicked up a stink and told them 2010 is no longer supported etc. and they've told me to try the 2013 version instead. Well that is also not supported anymore, and it doesn't work anyway! The 2016 version also doesn't work.

 

Anyone else use it and have it working OK? The DfE are just sticking to installing the 2010 version. That's not right though is it?

 

Stuart

[Ditto]

No, it's not right. Their manual advises to install the latest version, although the link is dead. Aren't DfE also advising schools to look to be Cyber Security Essentials compliant - surely installing the latest updates would be required. I'd stick to your guns for now. A quick google did seem to suggest for some users, it's better to install the 32 bit version of the redistributable - might be worth a try? It's been a while since I had to deal with redistributables, and to be honest I managed the experts rather than being hands-on myself, but I do know it could be a bit of a nightmare, but that's the software suppliers issue to resolve.

 

Out of interest, do you have .net 3.5 SP1 enabled? It's probably unrelated, but it is another prerequisite - to my surprise, 3.5 is supported until 2029.

[Jawloms]

Thanks for this. The 32BIT version won't go on as we are running 64BIT office. Going to send this;

 

2013 is also EOL, and your manual says “To install the latest version of Microsoft Access database engine”. It’s now a dead link in your manual, but in 2018 when that manual is dated, the 2010 version was not the latest.

 

Once again – Can you please confirm to me that the DfE are recommending I install an out of date, unsupported, unpatched piece of software on my network?

 

Thank you

[Ditto]

I did subsequently notice the manual documents the error you hit (Page 7) and it provides a link - which is on longer valid, not doubt for the reason it's out of date.

 

I do wonder however if the later version of the redistributable is supported, but I couldn't find a clear answer either way. The SP2 version is at https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=13255 and may be supported, even if the version of the 2010 Access Database application in it's entirety isn't.

 

Perhaps slightly reassuringly https://www.cvedetails.com/version/176419/Microsoft-Access-2010.html doesn't show any vulnerabilities.

 

You might also find https://community.chocolatey.org/packages/made2010 interesting. However, at the end of the day, you are right to query this with them and they need to convince you that they are asking you to install something that is current, supported and not vulnerable. Keep me posted on their reply!

[Jawloms]

Just got this through;

 

Title: FW: Microsoft ACE OLEDB provider not registered

Resolution: We have received an update from technical support for yoru review;

 

If you don't use office 365, then the 2016 version should be ok (MS do warn there could be issues as they named both versions the same thing!). Failing that, you'll need 2013 version which is the one they recommend. Be aware that this driver is not part of the Office suite, So Office 2013 being end of life does not mean this driver should not be user.

 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Education and Skills Funding Agency Service Desk by responding to this email or phone on 0345 602 2589. When contacting the Service Desk, please quote your case reference which is INC01336262

 

So they're still telling me to use old versions which are EOL. Does anyone have an opinion on what they're saying about it not being part of Office so isn't a threat?

[Ditto]

Office 2013, Office 2016 and Access 2016 are on extended support. See https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/. But they could be correct the redistributable is still supported. I thought redistributables lifecycle were linked to a product, but couldn't find the link for this one. All this particular component does is support data transfers between various file types. It's probably fine to use, but I'd be inclined to go back to the service desk and ask for a link to the Microsoft site that states unequivocally it is supported. This is on the borders of my areas of knowledge, but I do know we have at least one 'real' MS software developer here, so I'm calling on @ass17 to see if we can get some clarity.

[ass17]

I know Im a bit late to the party with this one but I have just downloaded it from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lrs-validation-tool and ran it on my Windows 11 laptop, launches OK, but I have no data to throw at it.

 

I have no access database engines installed, just Office 365 and visual studio 2019.