Thanks, Mike.
I did what you said and created the DSN. At the end of the configuration wizard you can run a "test" on the connection and the test is successful.
But the rdssimple.app will not run--- always a "cannot connect to server" message.
I was able to create the connection string for using ADODataControl (I know it's correct because I used the Microsoft Data Link UDL to create it and then pasted the string in....), but the Adosimple.scx form doesn't run either... some variable not found--

I'm thinking this form should be called ADONotSoSimple!!!

I'm not going to waste any more time on this-- there are other things I need to study for the exam. I know WHAT needs to be done-- it's the syntax of the HOW that still eludes me!

Thanks.