Access runtime - "There was an error executing the command"

Trying to use an Access database with the Access Runtime redistributable (2007 + 2010), all switchboard items would give the error message "There was an error executing the command".  The database was provided by an ODBC link to MS SQL Express.  The problem occurs when the ODBC link is defined as a System DSN, adding the same ODBC link as a User DSN solved the issue.