Cannot create an ODBC Data Source to link PHP to MS Access

bruceaj · December 20, 2013, 1:10am

When I try to create an ODBC Data Source to link PHP to MS Access, under the ODBC Data Source Administrator, I try to use the following steps:

Open the Administrative Tools icon in your Control Panel.
Double-click on the Data Sources (ODBC) icon inside.
Choose the System DSN tab.
Click on Add in the System DSN tab.
Select the Microsoft Access Driver. Click Finish.
In the next screen, click Select to locate the database.
Give the database a Data Source Name (DSN).
Click OK.

The “Microsoft Access Driver” does not appear under any tab, User or System.

How can I fix this problem.

Topcoder · December 20, 2013, 3:01am

That’s wierd, it should work.

I’m wondering if you’re having a 32/64 bit issue…

If you’re on a 64 bit system, their is a 34 and 64 bit version of ODBC

32 bit version
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe

64 bit version
C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe

Maybe it did create it but in the wrong spot.

bruceaj · December 20, 2013, 3:11am

I have a 64 bit system. I looked at both and neither had ODBC Data Source.

You posted in your reply:

32 bit version C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe
64 bit version
C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe

Is this what you wanted to post?? Or did you mistype?

Thanks for the response.

Topcoder · December 20, 2013, 5:03am

I didn’t mistype it…

I don’t know, I think you did everything right. Do you have a different pc in your house you can test this on?

bruceaj · December 20, 2013, 2:24pm

No. This is the only PC with Win 8.1. My Vista system is ok. I can create an ODBC link to MS Access okay on it. My problem is on my Windows 8.1 system.

bruceaj · December 20, 2013, 4:10pm

The reason I asked if you had mistyped it is that you have the 32 bit version located in what looks like a “weird” 64 bit directory and the 64 bit version in what look like a 32 bit directory.

32 bit version
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe

64 bit version
C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe

Any how, Since these are .exe files, I move cautiously. Since I have a 64 bit system should I run C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe?

Thanks…

Topcoder · December 21, 2013, 3:29pm

Yeah, you should run…

C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe

The SysWOW64 is for 32 bit applications…

You can read more about that here.

I work as a Windows Server Admin and we run applications in 32 bit and 64 bit on the same windows machine.

Also if a 32 bit application is running on a 64 bit machine, it pulls the registry keys from the HKLM\Software\SysWow6432 node.

I don’t have much experience with windows 8. The bulk of my experience is with windows 2008 r2.