My data connections stopped working after upgrading to DBxtra 8.1 or newer

Starting from version 8.1, DBxtra runs as a 64 bits application on 64 bits computers, this is mainly to allow you, both, to work with larger datasets and to work with a larger number of report objects at the same time; if your computer is 64 bits, then, you need to install the 64 bits drivers for your database so DBxtra can work with them.

An example of an error message you may get when you have 32 bits drivers but not 64 bits drivers installed is the following:

System.BadImageFormatException: Could not load file or assembly ‘Library.dll’ or one of its dependencies. An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format.

Attempt to load Oracle client libraries threw BadImageFormatException.

The specified DSN contains an architecture mismatch between the Driver and Application

You can see these errors, when you try to open the data connection or edit the query, or open the data or pivot grid in the Report Web Service.

To solve this, you need to install the 64 bits version of the appropriate drivers and, if you’re using a direct connection, it should work upon closing and reopening DBxtra.

If you’re using a DSN, then you need to recreate the DSN in the 64 bits ODBC Data Sources Control Panel applet (Control Panel->Administrative Tools->ODBC Data Sources).

Note that some 64 drivers may not be able to coexists side by side with their 32 bits versions, so you may need to uninstall the previous 32 bits drivers, if this may break another application that it’s still 32 bits, you may try by installing the 64 bits drivers first, then the 32 bits ones, if that doesn’t work see the article [DBxtra 64 bits] for more information about a workaround.