title: Invalid column definition error when using four part name to access Oracle DB as SQL Server linked server
body: <p>I have setup a linked server in SQL Server 2008 R2 in order to access an Oracle 11g database. The MSDASQL provider is used to connect to the linked server through the Oracle Instant Client ODBC driver. The connection works well when using the <code>OPENQUERY</code> with the below syntax:</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT * 
  FROM OPENQUERY(LINKED_SERVER, 'SELECT * FROM SCHEMA.TABLE')
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>However, went I try to use a four part name using the below syntax:</p>
  
  <pre><code>SELECT * 
  FROM LINKED_SERVER..SCHEMA.TABLE
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I receive the following error:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Msg 7318, Level 16, State 1, Line 1<br>
    The OLE DB provider "MSDASQL" for linked server "LINKED_SERVER" returned an invalid column definition for table ""SCHEMA"."TABLE"".</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Does anyone have any insight on what my be causing the four part name query to fail while the <code>OPENQUERY</code> one works without any problems?</p>