Firebird x Windows 7 x gds32.dll error

Question

I have a fdb file (firebird) from a new client (he doesn't know the version). I have tried to use some GUI to access the database, but with no luck. All of them tell that its missing gds32.dll, but I have this one.

I have copied this dll to the GUI folder, I have copied the dll to system32 folder and I have copied to syswow64. I am running Windows 7 64 bits and the firebird database is 32 bits. I have tried to install the dll but I can't register it.

I have installed WinXP in a virtual machine to see if it runs, but nothing. The regsvr32 tells me that it is not an executable file... in Win 7 that this dll could be not compatible with windows version.

I have tried IbExpert Personal, Ibmanager and Flamerobin and they shows me the same error, that the dll was not found or not installed.

How to open this firebird db?

Answer 1

You need a running Firebird server in order to access your database. If you just want to access the data, then the easiest way would be:

1. Grab free FDBConvert utility and upgrade database to the Firebird 2.5 format
2. Install Firebird 2.5 server. Get setup from here. Use Win32 version if your GUI tool is 32 bit application. During installation check "Generate client library as GDS32DLL for legacy app support?".
3. Make sure that Firebird service is running and try to connect to the database.

If the database will be accessed by an old application later on, then you have to:

1. Determine Firebird version needed. Use gstat -h dbname.fdb command. Check ODS version value. In the table here you will find a correspondence between ODS number and Firebird version. gstat utility is a part of server installation.
2. Download and install appropriate version of Firebird server from here.

Answer 2

To fix Flamerobin - missing gds32.dll or fbclient.dll problem:

1. Check which version of Firebird are you running - 32bit or 64 bit?
2. Install 32-bit Flamerobin for 32-bit Firebird or 64-bit Flamerobin for 64-bit Firebird.

Installing the correct version resolved my problem.

Cheers!