FIX: SQL Executive Service Becomes Unstable While Replicating

• Microsoft SQL Server, version 6.5

SYMPTOMS

When you are replicating a table with a text column, and character mode Bulk Copy is used as the mode of synchronization, the SQL Executive service may become unstable. The distribution task is left in a sleeping state, and the SQL Executive service cannot be controlled. The server must be restarted to reactivate the task.

When this problem occurs, the SQL Executive service on the distributor becomes unstable. Also, Enterprise Manager stops responding if you try to click on the running tasks, because the server will not be able to run extended stored procedures related to the SQL Executive service.

Not all tables with a text column will experience this problem. However, tables with a text column are more likely candidates for failure, because the character mode of synchronization is used for such tables by default.

WORKAROUND

While doing the synchronization, use the native mode of Bulk Copy. The native mode can only be used for SQL Server subscribers when the table being published has at least one text column.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft SQL Server version 6.5. This problem has been corrected in U.S. Service Pack 2 for Microsoft SQL Server version 6.5. For more information, contact your primary support provider.