... I meant this star: 'SELECT * FROM tstadvdbf.ASFSTAG0' maybe if you reduce the fields it will cut out the field causing trouble. Some other ideas: 1. Compare the query plan for the working and failing case and see if there is any difference (for the linked server part of it) 2. try select * into table from yourview (I know know its a star ;P ) and see what data types you get in the new table. Maybe this will shed some light on it.

I think I'll be able to figure it out from there - thanks for all the help. Alex

I would create the additional table on Room with an ID and from to date. If you deactivate a floor then create a record for each room on the floor. Please, do not prefix your ID field with any intelligence - it is a fundamentally bad design. The reason for the room level table is to give you the most flexibility without inflicting a complex set of rules (around the level you want to disable). You could then create views that would count the number of disabled rooms and compare it to the floor, room count to identify a disabled floor/building. Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH