Test connection failed because of an error in initializing provider

Question

I get this error when trying to connect to a database server remotely using udl file:

Test connection failed because of an error in initializing provider. ORA-12545: Connect failed because target host or object does not exist

I believe it is not a connectivity problem, because I can do these checklists successfully:

• ping IP address
  • ping DNS name
  • tnsping service name
  • connect to the database using sqlplus, do select and other commands to the table
  • reconfigure service using Oracle Net Configuration Assistant

I also tried changing the host name in tnsnames.ora into its IP address, or put IP address and its alias name in etc\\hosts, but it is still not working. I guess it is the problem in udl file. I use the same exact udl file with the one's in another PC that's working fine.

Do you have any idea?

Answer 1

First guess, wrong IP or wrong oracle home is being used (and thus different tnsnames.ora). The other guess, I assume the UDL file is being used in a Windows-based PC : the error might be because the COM objects that being used as provider is not installed correctly. Maybe there is a problem with MDAC (Microsoft Data Access Components), you might also need to reinstall Oracle Client with Windows Interfaces enabled in custom options.