I have two programs on one of my computers (an old Dell Precision
workstation 360, circa 2004) that doesn’t want to seem to function correctly
because of hang-ups with visual C++ 2008. I cannot find where 2008 is installed,
but I do see 2005. Can I add 2008 without first uninstalling 2005? Should
I?
In this excerpt from
Answercast #64, I look at the mess involved with different runtime versions
and where to get the files for your programs.
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Runtime programs
So, I’m assuming that what you mean is the “shared runtime” that many
programs require, much like the operating system itself, much like the .Net
framework, much like the old visual basic runtime.
Visual C++ provides a number of support functions in a .dll form that allows
applications to, instead of having to write all of that stuff themselves, instead
simply require that you have that runtime installed.
C++ runtime versions
Now, also not unlike the .net framework, there are multiple versions of the
visual C++ Runtime. You’re seeing both 2005 and 2008.
It is unfortunately the case that some applications will require the 2005
version and only the 2005 version, where as other applications may very well
require the 2008 version. They may require 2008 or later. Or they may require
the 2008 version and only the 2008 version.
It’s a bit of a mess, absolutely!
Multiple versions
Fortunately, you should be able to have both of them installed at the same
time. You can indeed download the visual C++ common runtime from the Microsoft
website and install it and see if that doesn’t make the problem go away.
My guess is (if I’ve understood the problem correctly) downloading the 2008
runtime should fix this problem and still allow any of the programs that
require the 2005 runtime to continue to work.
Next from Answercast 64 – What
happens when an email account holder passes away?
