Python 2.4 and Visual C++ Express

[Steve Menard]

I will soon have to write start providing Python extensions, in binary 
form, for python 2.4, and I have a few questions.

I have Visual C++ 6 installed, which works great for python 2.3.

I do not have access to Visual C++ 2003, which seems to be the compiler 
to be used with Python 2.4. Unless I am mistaken, the free command-line 
compiler is not a solution, as it cannot produce binaries that 
dynamically link the C runtime.

I have downloaded the Visual C++ 2004 "express" from the Microsoft.site.

Now my question is, will I be able to compile Python 2.4 extension if I 
use the Visual C++ 2004? And since I will be distributing the extension 
for both Python 2.3 and 2.4, will distutil choose the right compiler ?

Before some people mention MingW and Cygnus, I know and use them. 
However, for redistributing I feel it safer to use the Microsoft compilers.

Thanks for any help,

Steve