Which version of MSDE 2000 should I install when installing on a new
computer? The one 'Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine Release A' which
is about 42MB? Or the SQL Server 2000 SP3 version?

hi Tom,
[quoted text, click to view]

they are actually the same core version... but...MSDEReleaseA only allows
you to install fresh MSDE instances at the service pack 3a level, where
sql2kdesksp3.exe allows you both to install fresh MSDE instances and to
upgrade previous installed instances at service pack 3a level...
from a legal point of view, they differ very much as they do not share the
same EULA...
MSDEReleaseA is free to download, install and use, and you only have to
(freely) register for re-distribution rights, where the use of
sql2kdesksp3.exe is granted only to
ASP.NET Web Matrix*
MSDN® Universal, Enterprise, and Professional subscriptions
Microsoft Office XP Developer Edition
SQL Server 2000 Developer, Standard, and Enterprise Editions
Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET Architect, Developer, and Professional
Editions*
Microsoft Visual FoxPro® 7.0 or 8.0
*When obtained by downloading ASP.NET Web Matrix, MSDE is provided only for
use in conjunction with an application developed by using ASP.NET Web
Matrix.

licensed owner, like described in
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/msde/howtobuy/msdeuse.asp
--
Andrea Montanari (Microsoft MVP - SQL Server)
http://www.asql.biz/DbaMgr.shtm http://italy.mvps.org
DbaMgr2k ver 0.11.1 - DbaMgr ver 0.57.0
(my vb6+sql-dmo little try to provide MS MSDE 1.0 and MSDE 2000 a visual
interface)
--------- remove DMO to reply