Connection evidence
- Capture the full ODBC error chain and SQLSTATE/native code.
- Confirm system/user/file DSN and 32-bit driver identity.
- Compare connection string, authentication mode and server/database name.
- Test DNS/network/port availability independently.
- Check SQL dialect, parameter and Unicode behavior after connection succeeds.
Separate failure layers
| Driver/DSN not found | Bitness, installation or registry scope. |
|---|---|
| Login failed | Credentials, authentication mode or default database. |
| Timeout/server unavailable | Network, listener, instance or protocol configuration. |
| SQL syntax/type error | Dialect or driver/provider behavior. |
Use VB6 SQL Server, Windows 11 runtime, driver dependency analysis and the pillar.
Provide SQLSTATE chain, DSN/driver architecture, connection string with secrets removed and server/network details.