Problems with Connection Browser

[dean12]

Well heck, you'd think I could at least get started.

Using Crystal Analysis 9. All updates applied. Using SQL Server 2000 all updates applied through service pack 3A.

I have setup shared dimensions using MS Analysis Services and a couple of cubes - no problem.

I go to fire up CA9 and select a blank application. I get the "connection browser" and try to add a new server but to no avail - always get the message "xxx failed to initialize".

Looks to me that the only fields I have to fill in are caption, server name, user name, and password.

How difficult can this be? Any suggestions?

 

[AMJackson]

Okay, so stupid questions first...
Have you installed the client components (or PTS) on the machine you're running Crystal Analysis on?
If the answer to this is yes, then I what is xxx? Is it the machine name or IParseDisplayName?
If you haven't then you won't be able to connect.
Does the user that you are running in CA as have rights to the OLAP server. As I understand the way in which the Microsoft OLAP server works, the user name and password in the connection browser don't always work (due to the way Microsoft security works across multiple processes)

 

[dean12]

Nope those are not stupid questions but the solution to this problem is stupid.

I contacted Crystal Decisions today and they advise that when connecting to an OLAP datasource, you enter the server name but do not enter a username or password EVEN THOUGH they prompt for it.

I went back and read the User Guide and it is kinda slippery in this area - it just doesn't mention the two fields. My take is that when looking at the screen and trying to follow the manual, this would be very unclear.

Anyway, leave off the username and password and you are in free.