HERE IS A SIMPLIFIED VERSION OF THE CODE:
the real code imports it directly into SQL Server 2005, if that gives you anymore ideas

Code:
Public Class Form1

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Dim MyConnection As System.Data.OleDb.OleDbConnection
        Dim DtSet As System.Data.DataSet
        Dim MyCommand As System.Data.OleDb.OleDbDataAdapter

        MyConnection = New System.Data.OleDb.OleDbConnection _
        ("provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source='C:\test.xls'; Extended Properties=""Excel 8.0;HDR=Yes;IMEX=1"";")
        '("provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source='C:\test.xls'; Extended Properties=""Excel 8.0;HDR=Yes;IMEX=0"";")
        '("provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source='C:\test.xls'; Extended Properties=""Excel 8.0;HDR=Yes;IMEX=1"";")
        '("provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0; Data Source='C:\test.xls'; Extended Properties=""Excel 8.0;HDR=Yes;IMEX=2"";")
        'strConnectionString = string.Format("Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source={0};Extended Properties=\"Excel 8.0;HDR=Yes;IMEX=1\";", strFile);

        MyCommand = New System.Data.OleDb.OleDbDataAdapter _
        ("select * from [BIMOTO$]", MyConnection)
        MyCommand.TableMappings.Add("Table", "TestTable")

        DtSet = New System.Data.DataSet
        MyCommand.Fill(DtSet)
        DataGridView1.DataSource = DtSet.Tables(0)
        MyConnection.Close()



    End Sub
End Class