ODBC Setup

Owned by Mary Volkmer (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Sept 12, 2024 by Sue Busker

Changing/Setting ODBC Connections

The instructions for locating the 32-bit ODBC Data Sources are for machines running Windows 8 and higher. If your machine is running Windows 7 64-bit, contact Support for assistance in locating the 32-bit ODBC.


  1. While logged into the machine with an administrative user, from the Start menu, type control.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. From the Control Panel, select Administrative Tools.
  4. Select ODBC Data Sources (32-bit). PrismCore is a 32-bit program so only the 32-bit ODBC needs to be set.





  5. Choose the System DSN tab. If WinPrism is not a data source, choose Add and continue to step #6. If WinPrism is a data source, highlight it and press Configure and skip to step #7.




6. If adding a new data source, choose SQL Server Native Client 10.0.



7. Use WinPrism for the name of the connection. Description is not needed. Enter the PrismCore SQL server Name needed to connect to the appropriate database, followed by a comma and the port (usually 1433 or 35487).   The name should be something like BOOKSTORE.example.edu.  Use only BOOKSTORE, do not use the Full Domain Name.   For problems, see the appendix.    Click Next when the information has been entered.



8. Select the radio button for "With SQL Server authentication using a login ID and password entered by the user." Enter a PrismCore login and password. Any valid PrismCore username and password will work when setting ODBC. Call PrismCore Support if there are any problems completing this step.



9. Click Next.  If you get any errors, double-check the Server Name, port, and other previous settings.  If you are still not able to connect, contact PrismCore Support.

10. The only box to be checked should be the “Use ANSI nulls, paddings, and warnings” checkbox. Uncheck any other active checkboxes. Press Next.



11. The only box to be checked is the “Perform translation for character data”. Uncheck all other active checkboxes. Then click Finish.





12. Click Test Data Source. The result should be “Test Completed Successfully!” Press OK. If the test failed, call PrismCore Support.






13. Press OK.

14. Click OK to close the ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog boxes.

15. Log into PrismCore. If there are any problems or errors, call PrismCore Support.


Appendix:

For optimal performance over the network, two things need to function well.

  1. DNS  and  Reverse DNS

 The Short Name of the server should be used in place of the IP Address or the FQDN.      (Bookstore  instead of Bookstore.school.edu, and not the IP... xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx)

The IP can be used as a temporary placeholder but you MUST inform the school of the needed DNS requirements.