QGIS 64-bit ODBC set up link to 32-bit Access on win7

Question

I am trying to set up a an ODBC link to Access 2007 32-bit but not having any success. My system is a win7 pro 64-bit and I have QGIS 64-bit installed. Here are the steps I have already tried.

1. Set up an ODBC link using c:\windows\syswow64\odbcad32.exe. However, when I try to use that, the error message states that there is an architecture mismatch, which I assume means between 64- and 32-bit architecture.

2. Tried to set up the ODBC link from the standard location in Control Panel, but the error is that the Microsoft Access driver isn't installed.

3. Downloaded the Microsoft Access 64-bit Runtime, but when installing the error comes up that the 32-bit Access is installed and the 64-bit Runtime cannot be installed.

I am not sure where to go from here.

I know that I can change databases and go with a spatial system, but this is a regular download from a government site, which would mean a lot of extra work. Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Here's the thing. Windows 64 bit stores the 64 bit odbcad.exe in the System32 folder. The one in the location that you're editing, c:\windows\syswow64\odbcad32.exe, is actually the 32 bit one. Hilarious right? 32 bit applications in the syswow64 folder, 64 bit applications in the System32 folder! There are reasons though.

Now, for QGIS, add the ODBC driver in the odbcad for the right architecture for you:

• for 32 bit applications, open c:\Windows\syswow64\odbcad32.exe
• for 64 bit applications, open c:\Windows\system32\odbcad32.exe

To do this quickly, you can use my reg scripts: https://gist.github.com/alexgleith/9358893

Answer 2

Try uninstalling QGIS-64 bit and re-install QGIS-32 bit. Then try the odbc link. This trick worked for me, I think that QGIS-64 is looking in the wrong folder (the system32 folder) for the ODCB link. Using QGIS-32 will cause it to look in the SysWOW64 folder.