How do I configure ODBC DSNs in Windows Server 2003 and Windows 7?

Question

I haven't done this in quite a while, but years ago I have set up DSNs for an ODBC connection using Windows 2000 and maybe Windows XP. I remember there being a Data Sources or ODBC icon to click in Control Panel.

I need to do the same in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2003 but I can't find any icon for a tool to do it in Control Panel. I also checked in Programs -> Accessories but couldn't find anything there either. I'm running 64 bit Windows 7.

How do I set up DSNs in Windows 7 and Windows 2003 Server?

Answer 1

In both Server 2003 and Windows 7, it is located in Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Data Sources.

Answer 2

I encountered this problem last year in 64-bit Windows, and solved it by running the ODBC management GUI from a Command Prompt (will also work from the "Start -> Run" command):

C:\Windows\System32\ODBCAD32.exe

You may, however, encounter crashing issues when configuring some driver-specific features, but I've noticed that the crashes occur after the settings have been changed.

(Of course, the best thing to do is get updated software that doesn't require 32-bit ODBC GUI management tools, but that's not always possible with certain discontinued products, so it's quite nice that ODBCAD32.exe is included with Windows 7.)