>>>>I never tried with XP, only Win7.
>>>>
>>>Windows 7 and SQL Server Driver works fine for me for varchar(max) columns. It is the SQL Server Native client that has problem.
>>
>>Do you know the version number for the driver?
>
>In my case it's Microsoft SQL Server ODBC Driver Version 06.01.7601, in his it's 03.85. I see the driver version on the last page when configuring DSN.

I don't use DSN, but I don't know if that's relevant or not. If my memory serves me right, you will get problems with other field types with the driver that supports Varchar(max).