Microsoft KB Archive/932115

= FIX: The ghost row clean-up thread does not remove ghost rows on some data files of a database in SQL Server 2005 =

Article ID: 932115

Article Last Modified on 11/4/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition
 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Enterprise Edition

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Bug #: 50000789 (SQL Hotfix)



Notice
Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2005 fixes as one downloadable file. Because the fixes are cumulative, each new release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2005 fix release.



SUMMARY
This article describes the following about this hotfix release:
 * The issues that are fixed by this hotfix package
 * The prerequisites for installing the hotfix package
 * Information about whether you must restart the computer after you install the hotfix package
 * Information about whether the hotfix package is replaced by any other hotfix package
 * Information about whether you must make any registry changes
 * The files that are contained in the hotfix package



SYMPTOMS
In SQL Server 2005, the ghost row clean-up thread does not remove ghost rows on some data files of a database. This problem may occur when the database has two or more data files. When the ghost row clean-up thread runs again, the thread starts from the first data file.



RESOLUTION
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
You must have SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed to apply this hotfix.

For more information about how to obtain SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

913089 How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2005

Restart information
You must restart the SQL Server service after you apply this hotfix.

Registry information
You do not have to change the registry.

Hotfix file information
This hotfix contains only those files that are required to correct the issues that this article lists. This hotfix may not contain of all the files that you must have to fully update a product to the latest build.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, run the DBCC SHRINKFILE command together with the EMPTYFILE argument against the data files that contain ghost rows.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
The ghost row clean-up thread performs the clean-up operations in a series of batch changes.

After you use the workaround that is described in the &quot;Workaround&quot; section, all data except the ghost rows in data files is migrated to other data files.

This hotfix is also included in the cumulative update package (build 3161) for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

935356 Cumulative update package (build 3161) for SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 2 is available

