Hello folks. I have a Microsoft Access application that is split into
two .mdb files for the interfaces and data. This app is distributed on
a CD to be used on computers that have no internet access. When
someone needs an updated dataset the backend .mdb is refreshed from a
load of Oracle tables and sent on CD so that the user only needs to
replace a single file. The front end links to the tables in the back end.

The problem is that the amount of data required is steadily growing
and has now surpassed the 2GB file size limit for Access. I need to
leave the front end in Access as this is a big nasty dog of an app
written by someone else and I don't have time to tackle a rewrite
right now (as much as I'd love to). What I'd like to find, ideally, is
an open-source database that can be distributed as a file or set of
files that Access can link to. As I have no control over machine
configurations I'd prefer to stay away from creating DSNs, installing
software or registering DLLs if possible. I've been playing with
Firebird and it looks like it would work admirably if I could work out
how to get Access to link to its tables but haven't had much luck so
far. I'd be grateful for any suggestions.