I got the impression it was SQL Server at least... Looks like there are some issues (googling) when a SQL 7 install isn't patched properly so maybe those updates will fix your problem.

Arthur Fuller explores the value of identity columns and the usefulness of their arbitrary values and discusses ways to use SQL Server 2000's IDENTITY_INSERT setting.

Microsoft announced this week that it is having problems with ISO releases of SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 2.