>what are the files need to creat a runtime and where does the setup store these files so I can programmaticlly check for them and install them if needs be.

There are a base number of runtime files then more dlls depending on the controls and other goodies you are using. They will be in your windows system directory.

Mine are

VFP6R.DLL
VFP6RENU.DLL
VFP6T.DLL
OLE32.DLL
VFPODBC.DLL
OLEAUT32.DLL
MFC40.DLL
MFC30.DLL
OLEPRO32.DLL
MSVCRT20.DLL
MSVCRt40.DLL