Error message when you run the "chkdsk" command together with the "/v" switch on a Windows Server 2003-based computer: "Correcting sparse file record segment <number>"

Consider the following scenario:

• On a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer, you install Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and then you create a database on a volume.
• To process a database consistency check (DBCC) of the SQL Server 2005 database on an NTFS file system partition, you run the following commands.
  • dbcc checkdb
  • dbcc checkalloc

However, when you run the chkdsk command together with the /v switch on the volume, you receive the following error message:

If the sparse attributes of a sparse file are deleted, the NTFS file system partition works correctly. However, the Chkdsk.exe utility still reports an error.

After you install this hotfix, the Chkdsk.exe utility does not perform an additional check.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is 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 software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if 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. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or a later service pack installed.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

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.

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, x86 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, x86 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, IA-64 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, IA-64 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, X64 version

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, X64 version

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Steps to reproduce the problem

This procedure simulates the behavior that occurs when you perform a DBCC on a SQL Server database. Before you perform this procedure, you must download the Streams utility. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

1. Unzip the contents of the downloaded file into a separate directory on the computer.
2. Open a command prompt, and then change to the directory in which you unzipped the Stream utility files.
3. Type echo MainStream > test.txt , and then press ENTER to create a file.
4. Type echo > test.txt:astream, and then press ENTER to create another NTFS stream on the file.
5. Type fsutil sparse setflag test.txt:astream, and then press ENTER to make this stream a sparse file stream.
6. Type streams –d test.txt, and then press ENTER to delete the file stream.
7. Type the chkdsk /v <Drive_Letter> at a command prompt.

You receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.