title: SQL Server update query not working, however, SQL says the rows were affected
body: <p>I have a SQL Server 2000 database with a table named <code>Voters</code>.  One column in the table (<code>PrecinctCode</code> of type <code>varchar(10)</code>) is supposed to have a 4 digit code similar to <code>A111</code> or <code>D109</code>, but some rows have a value of <code>'999'</code>. The rows with value <code>'999'</code> have the correct number in a different column (<code>FaultCode</code> of type <code>varchar(50)</code>). I want to copy the values from <code>FaultCode</code> to <code>PrecinctCode</code> when <code>PrecinctCode = 999</code>. </p>
  
  <p>I ran this query </p>
  
  <pre><code>UPDATE Voters
  SET PrecinctCode = FaultCode
  WHERE (PrecinctCode = '999')
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>A message appears saying "3031 rows affected" but the affected rows still show 999 in the <code>PrecinctCode</code> column. I connect to the DB with Windows Authentication under the administrator account, so I don't think its a security issue.  </p>
  
  <p>Has anyone had an update query that would not update rows?</p>
  
  <p><strong>EDIT</strong></p>
  
  <p>I tried this query to retrieve the schema, it gave me nothing useful though.</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT  *
  FROM    INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES
  where   TABLE_NAME like '%Voters%'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Would just posting the table design work? if not can you tell me a query to run to retrieve the information you need? Thanks.</p>