When trying to link to an SQL table in Access 2003, the software appears to be malfunctioning.
The sequence of events is File - Get External Data - Link Tables - Files of Type: ODBC Databases().
The Problem: On two of my computers, the select data source window does not pop up, preventing me from linking to any ODBC data source.
Observations: This function has worked normally in the recent past and works on other computers running Access 2003. One difference between the computers working and non-working computers is Norton Antivirus 2006 (recent upgrade).
Has anyone experienced anything like this What's going on

Cannot link to SQL tables using ODBC Link table in Access 2003
farshid farzad
I've lost the ability to "link table" for excel or txt files. Any suggestions I have Access 2003 & Norton AV. I've tried turning off Norton AV and clearing the "Turn on scanning for Microsoft Office documents", neither seems to help
Kenneth Norway
Mahmood Dhalla
Here is the solution, from a member of UK AUG.
Alan, you’re a genius; the cure works perfectly.
Catherine, thank you too; I had noticed that Access especially was slow to open, but had no idea why.
Andy Couch, this may come in hand for your next SQL Server course as you may have a Norton victim among your trainees.
I’ll let my Norton 5-user subscription run out and them I’m in the market for something else - anything but Norton.
Timothy Coe.
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That option scans all Office documents before opening it, but if you have autoprotect on, there shouldn't be any viruses on them in the first place...Regards, Catherine.
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Timothy,
Downgraded is the correct word! It is awfully slow and my Office documents take ages to open now. I downgraded from Norton Internet Security 2005, which ran reasonably well, to 2006.
Thank you for bringing this up. Now you have, it reminds me that I've posted before on problems with ODBC and NIS2006. I found that if I untick the "Turn Office Plug-in on" box on Miscellaneous on the Antivirus section of NIS2006, my ODBC options reappear and my Office programs, e.g. Word, open a bit quicker. I'm not sure off hand what I may be letting myself in for by turning this thing off though. NIS2006 Yuck. Alan
robroll
Great Job Alan/Tim! You are fabulous - the fix works. add a system re-start and life is good again!
The fix:
From Nortn Antivirus Home screen:
Select Security Basics, Auto-Protect, and Configure Auto-Protect
Under "Other", select Miscellaneous
Under "How to keep Microsoft Office Documents Protected" which should be renamed to "How to mysteriously destroy database development productivity", uncheck this evil box
Restart and enjoy the functionality you paid for...
Thanks again folks!
Next stop: complain to Symantec!
uzalish
Dislay Name
Thanks everyone, I had the same problem. The Norton Protection center needed:
Norton Antivirus; Settings; Additional Options- Virus and Spyware Options;Miscellaneous; Turn on Scanning for Microsoft Office Documents
When this is unchecked I can get ODBC links again.
Mike
MusicMan756