Easy 10.0 Newb ?

[splat78423]

I have never used crystal befor and I am simply trying to set it up on my workstation and start a new report with access to my SQL 2005 database....I have full administrative access across all systems so that wont be a problem...... I just need a push in the right direction. Do I create a new connection......choose OLE DB...and then microsoft OLE data provider then enter my login info? Will this allow me to present my SQL text files into my new report? Assistance beyond a link to a Newb tutorial is appreciated much...

 

[IdoMillet]

There's good online help chapter on "Accessing Data Sources" if you just hit F1...

What are "SQL text files"?

- Ido

Visual CUT & DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[synapsevampire]

You may find that ODBC proves faster than OLE DB.

But yes, create a connection to the database and you will have access to the Tales, Views and Stored Procedures. You will need to djust the File->Options->Database to include Views and SPs.

SQL Server doesn't use text files, although they could be embedded in specific fields.

-k

 

[splat78423]

Ill try all of that out and let you know how it goes. I am new at this DBA stuff (sql, crystal, etc....) but my SQL server imports text files into the database every night which contain updates to my tables. All of the info in the tables are stored in 5 text files for the import so I was also wondering if I could pull data directly from them as an alternative to going through my server....

 

[synapsevampire]

You could pull from text files, which would prove slower and if you need all of the data in the report, you'd have to read in every text file (which can be cheated with a UNION ALL), but that's not the way to go.

Relational databases are much faster and easier to use than text files.

-k

 

[splat78423]

I am having problems just connecting to my database now and its on the server I am sitting right next to! I am entering the correct servername and database, as well I am entering the network admin username and password but it is not taking! I am sure the net connection is fine and this is a fresh install of crystall! Could it be a permission problem that can be changed through SQL manager....if so (I know this would be getting off the topic of the board) do I need to start an entire whole new thread to figure this out or are their other steps that can be taken through crystal reports?

 

[splat78423]

I found an article that say not to try to connect natively to a SQL database with crystal because a .dll file in crystal reports hasnt been updated... Is this what I am trying to do here? I am trying to connect the same way I've described in my first post.....I just dont get it...

 

[splat78423]

I tried installing crysal reports on the computer that hosts the SQL server software but I just get a hundred Error 1904 Module blah blah blah failed to launch messages....Individually registering each individual .dll is not possible because there are way to many to register manaully.....No one seems to have the solution to my problem and I've had probally seven other IT people try to help out!

 

[synapsevampire]

Post the error message, not "but it is not taking!".

Create an ODBC connection to SQL Server and test the connection while doing so, once it works there it should work in Crystal.

-k

 

[splat78423]

while creaing the ODBC data source connection I get the following error...

Connection failed
SQL State: '01000'
SQL Server Error: 2
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL ServerDriver][DBNetLib] ConnectionOpen(connect())
Connection failed:
SQL State '08001'
SQL Server Error: 17
Server does not exist or access denied

 

[synapsevampire]

Sounds like you either have the name of the server wrong or the user/pw is wrong.

You should be able to hit the down arrow next to Server and select the server.

-k

 

[splat78423]

I have verified the servername and password several times already....

 

[synapsevampire]

How are you verifying it?

Try placing the Enterprise Manager on the same development machine and see if it can hit the database.

SQL Server 2005 definitely supports ODBC, so something else is amiss.

-k

 

[splat78423]

I am verifying it by logging into my file server with admin access rights then into SQL Server Management studio express with and checking the instance name, etc. I have administrative access to the server so I am just using those credentials. All the info I need is right there as far as database and server names are concerned so I am simply copying it word for word. I tried installing crytal reports directly onto my database server but got dozens of can not register .dll errors so it didnt work. I made sure I had all of the other apps closed out and ran it again with no luck....

 

[synapsevampire]

It sounds as though your machine can't see the SQL Server.

When you tried to config ODBC for SQL Server, did you see th server listed in the drop down?

If not it may not be available.

Logging into the file server may mean that you have access to machines you do not from your desktop.

The issue may be local network rights.

-k