FIX: "Attempt to load required component ODBC32.DLL failed"

The information in this article applies to:

• The Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) included with: Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 2.0 and 2.1

SYMPTOMS

The following error occurs when trying to access an ODBC data source from a 32-bit application under Win32s:

   Attempt to load required component ODBC32.DLL failed.

CAUSE

There are two main causes for this:

• The ODBC components weren't installed because the ODBC setup program wasn't executed from the WIN32S\ODBC directory of the Visual C++ version 2.0 or 2.1 CD.
• The \WIN32S\ODBC directory on the Visual C++ version 2.1 CD contains an incorrect version of the ODBC32.DLL file (the thunking driver manager). The incorrect version does not load under Win32s.

RESOLUTION

Ensure that the ODBC setup program from the WIN32S\ODBC directory has been executed.

Additionally, after installing from the Visual C++ version 2.1 CD, you'll need to copy the ODBC3216.DLL file located in the WIN32S\ODBC directory (this is the correct thunking ODBC driver manager for Win32s) to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory and rename it to ODBC32.DLL to replace the incorrect ODBC32.DLL.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Edition, versions 2.2.