BUG: GP Fault when Creating or Altering a Database

• Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2 for OS/2

SYMPTOMS

If you experience a general protection fault (GP fault) when attempting to create or alter a database, the sp_configure "open objects" setting may be too low. If it is, you may see the following warning and error message in the SQL Server error log:

   Warning: OPEN OBJECTS parameter may be too low;
   attempt was made to free up descriptors in localdes().
   Run sp_configure to increase parameter value."

   Error: 603, Severity: 19, State: 1

CAUSE

A GP fault occurs when SQL Server mishandles the fact that it cannot allocate any new descriptors for a CREATE DATABASE or ALTER DATABASE command to complete.

WORKAROUND

Run the sp_configure system procedure to increase the value for "open objects." Increase the value by 500, and periodically examine the SQL Server error log. If you see a warning that "open objects" is set too low, run sp_configure again and increase the value by another 500. Continue this procedure until the error log no longer shows a warning.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 4.2 for OS/2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it become available.