FIX: LOCK_TIMEOUT causes transaction to roll back and @@error does not capture error 1222 (286286)

SYMPTOMS

In SQL Server 7.0, the LOCK_TIMEOUT setting aborts a single statement in a batch when a lock timeout occurs. You can then code to check for @@error = 1222 and implement an error handler.

In the original release of SQL Server 2000, design changes to the software changed the behavior of the LOCK_TIMEOUT setting. A system server process ID (spid) that incurs a lock timeout is treated like a deadlock victim; the entire batch is rolled back and aborted, and you are unable to check for @@error = 1222.

Starting with the release listed in the "Resolution" section, the software has been changed to revert to the SQL Server 7.0 behavior of only aborting a single statement.

NOTE: The Customizing the Lock Time-out section in SQL Server 2000 Books Online correctly describes the SQL Server 7.0 behavior and the SQL Server 2000 behavior of the version provided in this fix and later.

RESOLUTION

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

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Version    File name     Platform
   ---------------------------------

   8.00.277   s80277i.exe   Intel

NOTE: Due to file dependencies, the most recent hotfix or feature that contains the above files may also contain additional files.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

In SQL Server Query Analyzer, open a connection window and connect to SQL Server 2000. Create a table by using this code:
```
CREATE TABLE timeout_test (fname varchar(20), lname varchar(20))
					
```
Begin a transaction and insert the following into the table created in step 1:
```
BEGIN TRAN
INSERT INTO timeout_test VALUES ('John', 'Smith')
					
```

Open a new connection window in Query Analyzer and connect to the SQL Server 2000 server. Begin a new transaction and set the lock timeout value to 1 as follows:

BEGIN TRAN
SET LOCK_TIMEOUT 1
DELETE FROM timeout_test WHERE lname = 'Smith'
IF @@error = 1222
PRINT '-> Error 1222 was trapped.'
ELSE
PRINT '-> Error 1222 was NOT trapped.'

Results

On the original release of SQL Server 2000:
Server: Msg 1222, Level 16, State 50, Line 1
Lock request time out period exceeded.
On SQL Server 7.0 and SQL Server 2000 versions containing the fix:
Server: Msg 1222, Level 16, State 50, Line 1
Lock request time out period exceeded.
The statement has been terminated.
-> Error 1222 was trapped.