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Informix Error -498

-498 Bad cixtomsg file. Check installation.

The version of the cixtomsg file, which holds the mapping table of SQLCODE to SQLSTATE values, is invalid. The cixtomsg file is located in the directory $INFORMIXDIR/msg. Check the date and size of the file. If the error recurs, note all circumstances and contact IBM Informix Technical Support.

Oninit® Troubleshooting Guidance

Reasons / Common Causes

-498 is an installation-integrity error: the cixtomsg file — which maps SQLCODE values to SQLSTATE values — has an invalid or unexpected version. This file lives in $INFORMIXDIR/msg, and the server can't use it in its current state.

  1. A corrupted or partially-installed cixtomsg file, from an incomplete or interrupted installation.
  2. A version mismatch between the cixtomsg file and the rest of the installed Informix client/server components — e.g. a mixed-version installation or an incomplete upgrade.
  3. The file accidentally modified or replaced outside of the normal installation process.
Solutions / Resolution
  1. Verify the file's date and size, per the official guidance, and compare against what's expected for a clean installation of the version in use.
  2. If the problem persists, contact IBM Informix Technical Support with full details of the circumstances, per the official guidance.
  3. Consider reinstalling or repairing the Informix client/server installation if the file is confirmed corrupted or mismatched, rather than attempting to patch it manually.
Examples
Checking the file's date and size
ls -la $INFORMIXDIR/msg/cixtomsg
-- compare against expectations for a clean installation of
-- the specific version in use
Diagnostic Checks
  1. Check the cixtomsg file's date and size in $INFORMIXDIR/msg.
  2. Confirm installation completeness and version consistency across client/server components.
Related Errors / Related Topics
  • -409 — "Sqlexec was not found or was not executable by the current user." Another installation-integrity-level failure, in the same general category of environment/installation problems.
  • -369 — "Invalid serial number. Consult your installation instructions." Another related installation-configuration error.

This is an installation-integrity issue, not a SQL problem — verify the cixtomsg file's date and size against a clean installation before escalating to IBM Informix Technical Support.