automatically installing ODBC drivers 2

[johnjrd]

HI

is there a way you can create batch files/scripts to automatically create the odbc driver connections. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We have a Visual Foxpro app connecting to crystal reports and need to distribute it to our users but need a easy way of configuring the machines to set up the odbc

thanks

 

[ibearian]

What you should consider is puting your crytal reports on a web server, NT IIS maybe, (Its free with NT) set up your intranet, or link to currnet one allowing users centrally granted access via ip address or password. You then only set up one FOXPRo Odbc connection (on the server) so users get faster and easier access. I have used both. Web is easier for both you and them. The only down side is that regular restart (once a week) of the crystal services (start>control panel>services>) is needed if reports are used infrequently, but i can live with that.

Other wise you have to make sure odbc points to the same Db, If your using mapped drives are they all mapped the same. A new report means new installation. With the webserver you just change the link to the new report.

Easy when you know how.

Back to the orginal point you can set up ODBC files with VB programmes and i believe it is quite simple but have never tried. VB6 has a ODBC wizzard i asume to do so. BUT seriously your making yourslef work

 

[rtornambe]

You can register ODBC data sources by making registry entries. Look in the the LOCAL MACHINE or CURRENT USER under SOFTWARE/ODBC/ODBC.INI - there should be lots of examples you can follow. You may also need to define the ODBC driver LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/ODBCINST.INI...