john kane

Richard,
I've not installed SQL7.0 from the Backoffice 4.5 (or at least not
lately)... When you did the custom installation of SQL7.0, did you see
"Full-text Search" under the Server components list? If so, this is what
installs the MSSearch service as SQL Server 7.0 does not install the
"Full-text Search" (FTS) components by default as does SQL Server 2000.

If you didn't see the "Full-text Search" under the Server components list
from the Backoffice 4.5 CD, is it possible to copy just the SQL7.0
installation files to a network share point and then use this to do the
installation of SQL7.0?

Either way, and if you're planning to use SQL FTS in a large
production-level database environment, you would do well to upgrade to SQL
Server 2000 as there have been many new enhancements, fixes and features
added in SQL 2000 that you will find very useful when using SQL FTS.

Regards,
John