BUG: Many Objects May Cause Error 703 in DBCC

• Microsoft SQL Server version 4.2 for OS/2
• Microsoft SQL Server, versions 4.21 and 4.21a

       NT:  673 (4.2)

SYMPTOMS

A dbcc checkcatalog attempted on a database which has many objects (for example, over 640 tables) may get a 703 error:

   Memory request failed because more than 64 pages are required
   to run the query in its present form.  The query should be broken
   up into shorter queries if possible.

WORKAROUND

The script below will create a stored procedure CatalogCheck which tests most items also tested by dbcc checkcatalog, but will not get the 703 error. The sa can execute the procedure in any database:

   execute master..CatalogCheck

   isql /Usa /P<password> /S<server> /e /inewcatck.sql
   /onewcatck.rpt

create procedure CatalogCheck as

/* Check syscolumns <---> sysobjects on "id"    */

           from syscolumns
           where id not in (select id
                            from sysobjects))
  print "A column exists in syscolumns with no associated object in

/* Check syscolumns <---> systypes on "usertype" */

           from syscolumns
           where usertype not in (select usertype
                                  from systypes))
  print "A column exists in syscolumns with no associated type in systypes"

/* Check sysobjects <---> syscolumns on "id" for views */

           from sysobjects
           where type in ('v', 'V')
           and id not in (select id
                           from syscolumns))
  print "A view exists in sysobjects with no columns in syscolumns"

/* Check sysobjects <---> sysprocedures on "id" for views */

           from sysobjects
           where type in ('v', 'V')
           and id not in (select id
                          from sysprocedures))
  print "A view exists in sysobjects with no entry in sysprocedures"

/* Check sysobjects <---> sysprocedures on "id" for

           from sysobjects
           where type in ('p', 'P')
           and id not in (select id
                          from sysprocedures))
  print "A procedure exists in sysobjects with no entry in sysprocedures"

/* Check sysobjects <---> sysprocedures on "id" for rules &

           from sysobjects
           where type in ('d', 'D', 'r', 'R')
           and id not in (select id
                          from sysprocedures))
  print "A rule and/or default exists in sysobjects with no entry in

/* Check sysobjects <---> syscolumns on "id" for tables */

           from sysobjects
           where type in ('s', 'S', 'u', 'U')
           and id not in (select id
                          from syscolumns))
  print "A table exists in sysobjects with no entry in syscolumns"

/* Check sysobjects <---> sysindexes on "id" for tables */

           from sysobjects
           where type in ('s', 'S', 'u', 'U')
           and id not in (select id
                          from sysindexes))
  print "A table exists in sysobjects with no entry in sysindexes"

/* Check sysindexes <---> sysobjects on "id" */

           from sysindexes
           where id not in (select id
                            from sysobjects))
  print "An entry exists in sysindexes with no entry in sysobjects"

/* Check sysindexes <---> syssegments on "segment" */

           from sysindexes
           where segment not in (select segment
                                from syssegments))
  print "An entry in sysindexes has a 'segment' value with no entry in

/* Check sysprocedures <---> sysobjects on "id" */

           from sysprocedures
           where id not in (select id
                            from sysobjects))
  print "An entry exists in sysprocedures with no entry in sysobjects"

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 4.2 for OS/2 and Microsoft SQL Server versions 4.21 and 4.21a. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.