I'm trying to set up an ODBC data import from a MySQL datasource using Filemaker 6v4 on Mac OSX Jag. The biggest problem that I'm noticing right now is that the Network Protocol option list is empty. I can't choose TCP/IP, AppleTalk, etc. It's just empty. Any ideas why this might be happening? I'm logged in with an administrator level account.

Second problem - i'm not sure if this has anything to do with the missing network protocols, but my plug-ins are missing too. The plug-ins box on the plug-ins tab in application preferences is just empty. I can't enable ODBC connections, so i can't do the ODBC import (tells me that "the translator for this file could not be found" when trying to execute File>Import>ODBC Source...). In previous versions I have not had this problem. This is the first time I've touched FM6 - don't know if I have to install the plug-ins separately or not. And the FM6 help files aren't too helpful - giving me OS9 locations of things.

Currently quite frustrated. Any ideas? Any more information I provide, please ask.

To do an ODBC import using FMP 6 on OS X, you need to check the following:

1. Make sure the plugin named "ODBC" is in your "FileMaker Extensions" folder - you shouldn't need to worry about configuring the plugin, or network protocols, etc. The plugin should be isntalled automatically by the FMP 6 installer.

2. If you have installed the DataDirect ODBC drivers that come with FMP, make sure you remove the "ODBC Configuration Manager" file from the /Library/CFMSupport folder

3. You will need an ODBC driver specifically for MySQL. I suggest the "Actual ODBC Driver for Open Source Databases" from Actual Technologies - www.actualtechnologies.com

4. You will also need the iODBC driver manager framework. This is installed automatically with the Actual ODBC driver. If you use a different driver, you will need to obtain this framework from www.iodbc.org.

5. Use the iODBC ODBC Administrator to configure a connection ("DSN") to your MySQL database. The Actual ODBC driver has a setup assistant that will prompt you for the required values when you configure a DSN.

6. When you select File->Import-> ODBC Source.., you should see your newly created DSN name in the list.

One you select it and enter your login ID and password, you should be able to construct a SQL query. If you continue to have problems, reply back and I'll try to help you delve into it a little deeper.

Best regards,

Jonathan Monroe

Actual Technologies - ODBC for OS X

http://www.actualtechnologies.com

[email protected]