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Q305698: SMSINST: Install File Script Item May Cause Compile to Hang

Article: Q305698
Product(s): Microsoft Systems Management Server
Version(s): 2.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kberrmsg kbsms200 kbsms200bug smsinst
Last Modified: 14-SEP-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Systems Management Server Installer version 2.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

The System Management Server (SMS) Installer may stop responding (hang) during
compilation of an installation script when that script contains an install file
script item that uses wildcard (*.*) files for the source and specifies the
"Include sub-directories" option on a folder structure that has more than 16
levels.

Additionally, if you cancel the compilation, the SMS Installer may stop and
generate an access violation error message.

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs because the SMS Installer is limited to 16 sub-folders when
you specify wildcard source paths and select the "Include sub-directories"
option for the install file script item.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, break the install file script items into multiple
install file script items that specify sub-folders below the original folder.
This ensures that they include no more than 16 levels of folder structures.

For example, a script may not compile because the folder depth is 17 folders and
the Install Files script item is for c:\Myapp\DLL\*.*, include sub-folders. View
the sub-folders under C:\Myapp\Dll. There are eight sub-folders, one that goes
16 levels deep. To work around this problem:

- Create a single Install File script item for C:\Myapp\Dll\*.*, but do not
  choose the Include sub-folders option. This is to get all of the files that
  are at the root of C:\Myapp\Dll, but not the sub-folders.

- Create eight Install File script items for each of the eight sub-folders
  under C:\Myapp\Dll, and specify *.* and the "Include sub-directories" option.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server
Installer version 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The compile process hangs when processing Install file script item for a 16
level deep directory tree structure using wildcards and include sub-directory
options.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem
------------------------------

To reproduce the problem, use the following steps:

1. Install latest SMS Installer build.

2. Create a folder called C:\Test.

3. Create 16 sub-folders under this folder. For example,
  C:\Test\A\B\C\D\E\F\G\H\I\J\K\L\M\N\O\P.

4. Create a file in the \P (lowest) folder.

5. Open Installer and start in Script Editor view with no items. Add the
  following script items to the script:

  item: Set Variable
    Variable=MAINDIR
    Value=C:\TESTDEST
  end
  item: Install File
    Source=C:\Test\*.*
    Destination=%MAINDIR%
    Flags=0000000100000010
  end

  Note that wildcards are used for source, and the include subdirs flag is
  selected.

Note that steps 6 through 9 are not vital to reproduce the problem; however, they
are necessary to for this simple test script to compile.
6. In Script Editor view, click the Cancel event in the Event box (Mainline,
  Exit, Cancel).

7. Delete the Include Uninstal.ipf script item in the "Cancel event script"
  section.

8. Switch back to the Mainline event.

9. Click Edit, click Installation Properties, click the Screen tab, and then
  change the "Progress Bar Based on" setting to Position in the Installation
  script.

10. Compile the script.

RESULT: The SMS Installer hangs during the compile; the progress dialog box hangs
and there is no activity.


11. Click Cancel, and then click OK when you are prompted to confirm.

RESULT: An error message occurs in the SMS Installer.


Additional query words: prodsms directory subdirectory

======================================================================
Keywords          : kberrmsg kbsms200 kbsms200bug smsinst 
Technology        : kbSMSSearch kbSMSI200
Version           : :2.0
Issue type        : kbbug

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