Adding a New Data Source Name
The most common problems experienced occur immediately
after installation as a result of an incorrectly installed database or Data
Source Name (DSN). A Data Source Name is used by ODBC (Open Database
Connectivity) drivers, which connect a program to a database. This works much
like a printer driver, which connects a program to a printer. If ODBC errors
are reported by the program, then the following steps should be taken to verify
that the DSN for your program is correctly configured.
- Determine the DSN for
your program. See Configuration
Settings for this information.
- Click on “Start” and
then “Run”. A dialog box should open up which will allow you to enter a
command to execute. In the space provided, type “odbcad32” (without the
quote marks) and press Enter.
- The ODBC Data Source
Administrator should appear. The screen should look similar to this:
![](./Adding%20a%20New%20Data%20Source%20Name_files/image002.jpg)
Figure
1: ODBC Data Source
Administrator
- Click on the “System
DSN” tab and then click on “Add…” The following screen will appear:
![](./Adding%20a%20New%20Data%20Source%20Name_files/image004.jpg)
Figure
2: Create New Data
Source
- Click on “Microsoft
Access Driver (*.mdb) and click “Finish”
![](./Adding%20a%20New%20Data%20Source%20Name_files/image006.jpg)
Figure
3: ODBC Microsoft
Access Setup
- Enter the DSN You found
in Step 1 in the “Data Source Name” field. Click on “Select”, which will
open up a “Select Database” dialog. This will look similar to this:
![](./Adding%20a%20New%20Data%20Source%20Name_files/image008.jpg)
Figure
4: Select Database
- Using the provided
controls, navigate to the location (on your computer or on your network)
where the database was installed. Refer to Configuration Settings for the
name of the database file used by your product. You should find the file
at this location. If you do, click on the file and then “OK”.
- The previous screen,
“ODBC Microsoft Access Setup” will appear. Click OK.
- The previous screen,
“ODBC Data Source Administrator” will appear. Click OK.
Try running your program again. If you were experiencing a
problem caused by an incorrectly configured Data Source, then the program
should work normally. If you experience more ODBC errors, refer to TroubleShooting Procedures.