title: Can anyone decipher an error message I get when trying to store form data on MS SQL using php?
body: <p>I attempted to connect to an <code>Microsoft SQL</code> database and store html form data in it using <code>php</code> but was unable to. </p>
  
  <p>At first I attempted using the <code>mssql</code> syntax but realized that it was abandoned past <code>5.2</code> (I'm running <code>5.3</code>). Then I attempted to connect using the <code>sqlsrv</code> syntax but that required a driver and editing the php.ini file -- which I did only to receive this error message pertaining to the MS SQL Native Client:</p>
  
  <pre><code>&gt; Connection COULD NOT be establishedArray ( [0] =&gt; Array ( [0] =&gt; IMSSP [SQLSTATE] =&gt; IMSSP [1] =&gt; -49 [code] =&gt; -49 [2] =&gt; This extension requires the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client. Access the following URL to download the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client ODBC driver for x86: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=163712 [message] =&gt; This extension requires the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client. Access the following URL to download the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client ODBC driver for x86: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=163712 ) [1] =&gt; Array ( [0] =&gt; IM002 [SQLSTATE] =&gt; IM002 [1] =&gt; 0 [code] =&gt; 0 [2] =&gt; [Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified [message] =&gt; [Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified ) )
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>A <code>phpinfo</code> file shows that <code>sqlsrv</code> is installed and I've deleted and reinstalled the drivers and native client twice already to no avail..........</p>
  
  <p>Here is the stack: </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Windows 2003 server </li>
  <li>IIS 6 web host</li>
  <li>local install of MS SQL 2008 (previously was attempting to connect to a remote MS SQL 2014 database</li>
  <li>PHP version 3.1.3</li>
  </ul>