Forum Discussion

tjukken's avatar
tjukken
Advocate II
8 years ago

Oracle connection error: Object reference not set to an instance

Hi   I'm trying to connect to an Oracle 11g database (not local), but I do only receive an error message. First I write in the servername/ip-address/tnsnames on the Oracle server and then I'm displ...
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anitaberg's avatar
anitaberg
Helper I
8 years ago

Hi! I have been experiencing with this ODAC install and related issues. I have a complete Oracle test environement on my virtual machine where I am trying to install ODAC. I have the Oracle database server and OBIEE (Oracle BI, with servers).

 

Due to this I had a client_1 in C:\app\client\<windowsuser>\product\12.2.0 folder.

 

1. The first installation I installed odac in a client_2 folder. Result: Power BI did still complain about not having ODAC installed

 

Then I found a thread https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Unable-to-connect-using-Oracle-database-even-after-ODAC-install/m-p/426572#M196317 saying that installing on the same client would solve issue 

 

2. Changed the path for ODAC install to client_1

 

Then I no longer got the error abot having to install odac client, but the error Details: "An error happened while reading data from the provider: 'Object reference not set to an instance of an object.'"

 

Found some stackoverflow saying that this issue is mixing 32 bit and 64 bit, and also Oracle documentation does not recommend installing onto existing oracle home/folder.

 

I have not installed using x_copy so far. But for the last installation I did select machine level for .NET I have now the store version of Power BI, but will install with the other downloadable.

 

QUESTION: What should I do to get this to work, having the downloadable version instead? Go back to client_2 folder installation, or use X_copy for ODAC to install instead? Where do you install ODAC?

anitaberg's avatar
anitaberg
Helper I
8 years ago

Figured it out now: I kept the installation with having ODAC installed to client_1. I de-installed the store version and installed the download version. I new error related to TNS names Oracle: ORA-12541: TNS:no listener" when I connected to the computername as server name in Power BI. I checked the tnsnames.ora in C:\app\client\anitaberg\product\12.2.0\client_1\Network\Admin and then tested to log on as localhost as server name. Got then the error Details: "Oracle: ORA-12504: TNS:listener was not given the SERVICE_NAME in CONNECT_DATA" , then I used the name of the service (if it is called that) ORCL as server, and then Power BI was able to show the three of tables.

 

 

ORCL = (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS = (PROTOCOL = TCP)(HOST = localhost)(PORT = 1521)) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVER = DEDICATED) (SERVICE_NAME = orcl) ) )

  • jessica-ko's avatar
    jessica-ko
    Advocate I
    6 years ago

    THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!! worked for me