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geofflilley's avatar
geofflilley
Frequent Visitor
8 years ago

Cannot Connect to an Oracle Database...GOING INSANE, READY TO QUIT

Hi. Let me get a couple of things out of the way. Even though this problem (which has plagued me for 18 hours and counting) makes me feel like a complete USELESS IDIOT, I have evidence that I'm not. (MCP ID is 3145964, I'm an MCT, I've been using computers for 25 years, I have a 126 IQ. I'm not STUPID. But this problem sure makes me feel like it.)

 

If you looked at my Google history, you'd see that I've been back and forth between Oracle forums and Microsoft Power BI forums continually, trying each solution listed therein. I've downloaded the ODBC driver, the Instant Client, directly from the links provided in the instructions on the PowerBI page.

 

I have an Oracle ODBC connection that I've configured in the ODBC 64 control panel, and I can successfully ping the server, as well as connect via SQL Developer.

 

I can connect neither via ODBC nor Oracle.

 

For ODBC, the error I get is "Restricted data type attribute violation." The only two "workarounds" or "solutions" I've seen after hours of searching are, "are you running the latest version of PowerBI?" (yes, checked twice) and "Yeah, me too, can't seem to get it to work, bummer, any help, Microsoft?" And "send a frown." (Done, no optimism.)

 

For Oracle, the error that I get is "The recommended provider ('Oracle.Data.Access.Client') is not installed. You can continue with your current provider, however it has been deprecated and may not work correctly."

 

I clicked Learn More, and downloaded the software as specifically stipulated therein. Same error message.

 

I've uninstalled and re-installed the software six times, changed the PATH variable, rebooted, hacked registry entries, you name it.

 

I'm sorry if I sound snippy or short; the deal is, I'm supposed to be the Microsoft expert at my office, and I literally have no one to turn to, and I have a multi-million dollar deal that's predicated on me getting this right. So no pressure. :(

6 Replies

  • v-piga-msft's avatar
    v-piga-msft
    Icon for Resident Rockstar rankResident Rockstar
    8 years ago

    Hi  geofflilley,

     

    Have you downloaded the Oracle client based on the official document here?

     

    In addition,  could you please upload the screenshots for your error messages?

     

    Best Regards,

    Cherry

    • geofflilley's avatar
      geofflilley
      Frequent Visitor
      8 years ago

       

      "Have you downloaded the Oracle client based on the official document here?"

       

      Yes. To reiterate in my original post, yes, several times. I clicked Learn More, got directed to that link, followed the directions to the absolute letter of the law, and I get the same error message, contained in this screenshot, which I quoted verbatim in my original post:

       


       

       

      At first, I downloaded the 64-bit version, since I am running 64-bit PowerBI. Same error. I downloaded the 32-bit client as a precaution. Same error.

       

      Trying to connect via ODBC gets me a different error, which, as previously stated, is "Restricted data type attribute violation. Details: DataSourceKind=Odbc." That's the one with dozens of posts on this forum to the effect of, "Yeah, me too, bummer, any help, Microsoft?" To wit:

      ODBC Error

      ODBC Connection 01

       

       

      ODBC Connection 02ODBC Connection 03

      So I can see the connection in PowerBI when I do it via ODBC, and I can get all the way to the screen where it looks like I can access a table, but then, when I actually go to select one, no dice.

       

      The only thing I've gotten to work so far is the DevArt 3rd-party ODBC driver. It's slow as molasses in January, but it works.

       

      I have a very large vested interest in making this work, since my company partners with MS, and we want to offer this as a viable solution to our clients, but when I as a sales engineer with a technical background, and presumed technical expertise, can't get this thing to work, I can't offer proof of value, so I'm kind of screwed right now. Please help.

      • ChrisMendoza's avatar
        ChrisMendoza
        Icon for Resident Rockstar rankResident Rockstar
        8 years ago

        geofflilley,

         

        This may not be of much help but when I was attempting to connect to my Oracle DB (pretty sure the Instructor had us start with 14) on AWS for a school project I had the same issue. I ended up upgrading to the newest release, at the time, of Oracle in a new instance.  I know that is probably not an option for you however after upgrading everything to the most current it was able to connect. Oh, I vaguely remember something about creating an entirely new user/pass as well in one of the Oracle ODAC screens that was not my ADMIN or user account. It was odd but that could have been it as well. Since it was a school project I was just trying to get it done and unfortunately did not take the best notes on how I did it.

         

        It was harder than it needed to be that's for sure. I thought it was because I am a student however even my instructor and local 'experts' couldn't provide assistance.

         

        It can be done, is pretty much all the hope I can give you. Best of luck.