FIX: Error message when you analyze a trace file in Database Engine Tuning Advisor in SQL Server 2008: “Error converting data type varchar to datetime”

Article ID: 974289 - View products that this article applies to.
Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2008 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 2008 fix release.
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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:
  • In Microsoft SQL Server 2008, you create a stored procedure that has a parameter of the DateTime data type.
  • You start a trace to capture the RPC:Starting and RPC:Completed events when you run the stored procedure. You can do this by using SQL Server Profiler or by using server-side trace for the execution.
  • In Database Engine Tuning Advisor (DTA), you create a new session by using the trace file that you captured.
In this scenario, when you analyze the trace file, you may receive the following error message:

Msg 8114, Level 16, State 5, Procedure MyProc, Line 0
Error converting data type varchar to datetime.

Note This issue does not occur if you capture the SQL:BatchStarting and SQL:BatchCompleted events in the trace.
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CAUSE

This issue occurs because the trace uses an incorrect text value for the DateTime parameter. The text value that the trace uses has a higher precision than the DateTime data type.

For example, the trace uses a text value that resembles the following as a parameter of the DateTime data type:
exec dbo.MyProcedure @var='2009-07-24 20:25:36.4900000'
Therefore, the issue occurs when you analyze the trace in DTA.
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RESOLUTION

The fix for this issue was first released in Cumulative Update 4 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1. For more information about this cumulative update package, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
973602
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/973602/LN/ )
Cumulative update package 4 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1
Note Because the builds are cumulative, each new fix release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2008 fix release. Microsoft recommends that you consider applying the most recent fix release that contains this hotfix. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
970365
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970365/LN/ )
The SQL Server 2008 builds that were released after SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 was released
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 hotfixes are created for specific SQL Server service packs. You must apply a SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1 hotfix to an installation of SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1. By default, any hotfix that is provided in a SQL Server service pack is included in the next SQL Server service pack.
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WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods:

Method 1


Modify the stored procedure to use the DateTime2 data type for the parameter.

Method 2

Truncate the millisecond part of the value of the DateTime parameter before you pass it to the stored procedure.
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STATUS

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

For more information about the Incremental Servicing Model for SQL Server, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
935897
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935897/ )
An Incremental Servicing Model is available from the SQL Server team to deliver hotfixes for reported problems


For more information about the naming schema for SQL Server updates, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
822499
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822499/ )
New naming schema for Microsoft SQL Server software update packages


For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ )
Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
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Properties

Article ID: 974289 - Last Review: September 28, 2009 - Revision: 1.1
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Enterprise
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Workgroup
Keywords: 
kbsurveynew kbhotfixrollup kbfix kbpubtypekc kbqfe kbexpertiseadvanced kbhotfixserver KB974289
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