Chad,

>Noone seems to haven answered how I can solve the
> firewall (Access in local mode, without needing it using a TCP
> port) nor how
> I can even detect if FB is running to start an instance.
>

i've been reading this thread with interest as i have also embraced the
embedded route in order to solve the problem of installing on user pcs
without regard for existing server versions etc. and although i'm not
greatly troubled at the moment with multiple access to the same DB it's just
around the corner as i want to add a second app that performs offline
analysis of the same data.

anyway, in answer to your question above, i use the very excellent Indy
components :) to attempt a connection to port 3050. if it connects i assume
that the server is running.