title: ODBC Administrator Can't Find Oracle TNS Names File
body: <p>With a new Oracle Installation when I go to <code>Configuration Management Tools &gt; Microsoft ODBC Administrator &gt; System DSN &gt; Add &gt; [new installation]</code> it does not have the TNSNAMES.ora connection name in the drop down.  With the old installation, this had worked.</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ad7Ag.png" alt="Create New Data Source"></p>
  
  <p>I've tried updating Environment Paths and Registry keys but still can't find a way to get ODBC to see it in the drop down.</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/fHekh.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>
  
  <p>There was a previous installation of Oracle Client on the Windows Server.  I tried to remove most of the files but our Oracle DBA said we could just do another install and update the Environment Paths with the new location.</p>
  
  <p>I understand there are two other posts on SO <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6902061/oracle-tns-cant-connect-through-odbc-administrator"><strong>here</strong></a> and <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10499/oracle-what-tns-names-file-am-i-using"><strong>here</strong></a> regarding this issue. However, I'm not sure TNS PING will help yet because it seems to be an issue regarding Environment Paths and ODBC being able to locate the .ora file.</p>
  
  <p><strong>TNSNAMES.ORA Location</strong>  </p>
  
  <p><code>TNS_Admin = E:\app\[username]\product\11.2.0\client_1\network\admin\TNSNAMES.ora</code></p>
  
  <p><strong>Environment Variables</strong>  </p>
  
  <pre><code>TNS_Admin = E:\app\[username]\product\11.2.0\client_1  
  Path = E:\app\[username]\product\11.2.0\client_1
  </code></pre>
  
  <p><strong>Registry Entries</strong><br>
  <em>home3 is the new installation.  Should I delete the old registry key (home2)?</em>
  <code>HKLM\SOFTWARE\ORACLE\KEY_OraClient11g_home2</code> and <code>\..._home3</code></p>
  
  <p>Also, if I select "OraClient11g_home2" in the Create New Data Source screen here is what is displayed in the drop down:</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/0Di6P.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>