How do I register a DbProvideFactory?

Question

I am trying to create a new ADO.NET connection string using the 'Add Connection' dialog. I click the 'Change' button to change the selected 'Data Source' but can't see the desired data source in the list of registered data sources.

Now, I know I need to update the machine.config file 'DbProviderFactories' element with the appropriate entries, but doing that doesn't help either. I am using VS2010 on Windows Vista. I also tried modifying the devenv.exe.config - doesn't help either.

There are 4 machine.configs -

• Framework\v2.0.50727\CONFIG\machine.config
• Framework\v4.0.30319\Config\machine.config
• Framework64\v2.0.50727\CONFIG\machine.config
• Framework64\v4.0.30319\Config\machine.config

Which one would actually be used. What is the mechanism used to obtain the registered provider factories? No matter what I do I can't see the desired provider in the dialog.

Answer 1

Maybe this link helps a bit: http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Wiki/View.aspx?ProjectName=EFSampleProvider&wa=wsignin1.0

Greets Flo