KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q163488: SMS: PCM Processes .Ins File Only When .Ins File Is Modified

Article: Q163488
Product(s): Microsoft Systems Management Server
Version(s): winnt:1.2
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbPCM smspcm
Last Modified: 30-JUL-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Systems Management Server version 1.2 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

When a job's Offer After and/or Mandatory After attributes are set to a time
that arrives after the initial detection of the package's arrival to the
workstation, Package Command Manager (PCM) does not display the package until
one of the following two situations occurs:

- PCM is restarted, requiring either a log off and subsequent log on, or a
  restart of the computer.

- Another package arrives, causing the .ins file to be changed.

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs because PCM only processes the .ins file when it detects
that the file has been changed since its last polling cycle. If the .ins file
has not been modified since it was last checked, PCM goes back to sleep.
Therefore, any delayed instruction is not processed either until the file is
modified by another job, or until PCM is restarted on a computer (causing PCM to
process the file regardless of a change).

WORKAROUND
==========

If the job has already been sent, and the computers are not available to log off
and log back on, send a dummy package to the targeted computers to start the
job.

Otherwise, if you are sending new jobs, make sure the Offer After and/or
Mandatory After dates are before the time the package instructions reach the
workstation.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server
version 1.2.


A supported fix is now available, but is not fully regression-tested and should
be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are
severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait
for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical
Support for more information.


Additional query words: prodsms

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbPCM smspcm 
Technology        : kbSMSSearch kbSMS120
Version           : winnt:1.2

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.