Update statistics returns erro -255

Hi, We run update statsitcs in parallel on our database on IDS 11.5 FC2X2 on an HP-UX is64 server.? Some tables and indexes are fragmented across multiple dbspaces. Sometimes the update statistics returns and error code of -255 on several tables: finderr -255 -255??? Not in transaction. The database server cannot execute this COMMIT WORK or ROLLBACK WORK statement because no BEGIN WORK was executed to start a transaction. Because no transaction was started, you cannot end one. Any database modifications that were made are now permanent; they cannot be rolled back but do not need to be committed. Review the sequence of SQL statements to see where the transaction should have started. This error can occur when you open a cursor for update and have not started a transaction yet. Should this be happening with the IDS 11.5 series??? We need to run the update statistics in parallel to speed up the time that it takes since out database is large.? We currently have the update statistics statements splits into two sections which are run on alternating nights.? Has anyone else experienced thie -255 problems with IDS 11.5.? Any suggestions for resolution, or should a case be opened with tech support? Thanks, Bruce Marchu

Hello Bruce, On a slightly older version of Informix (running a large database with fragmented tables) I had some problems like yours but I cannot remember the exact error code. I, too, had to run "update statistics" in parallel to speed it up. When I got those errors I assumed that Informix could not do simultaneous inserts into its system tables so I staggered the starting of each "update statistics" by one second. That solved my problem! Your "stagger time" may need to be bigger. Then try dirty reads and LIGHT_SCANS=FORCE, too. ; )