Data access problems for Microsoft SQL Server data sources

Use troubleshooting tips for help accessing Microsoft SQL Server data sources.

What problem are you having accessing your Microsoft SQL Server database?

Hang in Microsoft SQL Server JDBC Driver V2.0 after connection error

If you are using version 2.0 of the Microsoft SQL Server JDBC Driver (other versions do not have the problem), you might experience a hang after a connection error occurs. The following test fix from Microsoft fixes this problem: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/977924

ERROR CODE: 20001 and SQL STATE: HY000 accessing SQLServer database

The problem might be that the distributed transaction coordinator service is not started. Look for an error similar to the following example when attempting to access a Microsoft SQL Server database: 
ERROR CODE: 20001
SQL STATE:  HY000
java.sql.SQLException: [Microsoft][SQLServer JDBC Driver]
[SQLServer]xa_open (0) returns -3
at com.microsoft.jdbc.base.BaseExceptions.createException(Unknown Source) ...
at com.microsoft.jdbcx.sqlserver.SQLServerDataSource.getXAConnection
(Unknown Source) ...
To confirm this problem:
  1. Go to the Windows Control Panel > Services. Or, click Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.
  2. Verify whether the service Distributed Transaction Coordinator or DTC is started.
  3. If not, start the Distributed Transaction Coordinator service.

Application fails with message stating Cannot find stored procedure... accessing a Microsoft SQL Server database

This error can occur because the stored procedures for the Java™ Transaction API (JTA) feature are not installed on the Microsoft SQL Server.

To resolve the problem, repeat the installation for the stored procedures for the JTA feature, according to the JDBC driver installation guide.

ERROR CODE: SQL5042 when you run a Java application

This error can occur when you configure your application to run in the following manner:
  1. You use a type 2 (application) driver running on the gateway to the OS 390
  2. Your application is an XA application.
OS 390 does not use XA, but uses SPM. To resolve the problem:
  1. Check your dbm cfg to see that the SPM is not started on the gateway.
  2. Assign a port and set the db2comm variable to TCPIP.
  3. Update the dbm cfg value SPM_NAME to use your machine name.
  4. Start the SPM on the gateway.
[Windows]

JAVAX.TRANSACTION.XA.XAEXCEPTION occurs with error: XP_SQLJDBC_XA_INIT

If you are using a Microsoft SQLSERVER database on Windows Server 2003, and you move a cluster of SQL servers from one node to another node, or shut down the cluster, the Enable XA Transactions setting in Windows Component Services might be reset to disabled. When this problem occurs, a JAVAX.TRANSACTION.XA.XAEXCEPTION with Error: XP_SQLJDBC_XA_INIT might occur because the JDBC driver is no longer enabled for XA transactions.

To re-enable XA transactions in Windows Component Services, complete the following actions:
  1. From your Microsoft Windows desktop, click Start > Settings > Administrative Tools > Component Services.
  2. Expand the tree view to locate the computer where you want to turn on support for XA transactions; for example, My Computer.
  3. Display the context menu for the computer name, and then click Properties.
  4. Click Options, and then set Transaction Timeout to a length of time that suits your environment. The recommended minimum setting is 180 seconds.
  5. Click MSDTC , and then click Security Configuration.
  6. Under Security Settings, select XA Transactions to enable this support.
  7. Click OK to save your changes.
Avoid trouble: The installation documentation for JDBC XA connectivity refers to two known problems. See the Microsoft support site for more information:
  • KB899756: Windows 2003 only. MSDTC does not detect process termination, and MSDTC cannot set time-out values for XA transactions in Windows Server 2003.
  • KB318818: Performance slows down when you use XA Transactions with SQL Server.