SMS: Upgrading Windows NT with PCM Service May Constantly Repeat

• Microsoft Systems Management Server, version 1.2

SYMPTOMS

When run from the Package Command Manager (PCM) service (Pcmsvc32.exe), the Ntencap.exe utility, which is used in conjunction with Windows NT operating system upgrades, is unable to detect that a system is shutting down and restarting. As a result, the mandatory job never has a chance to be marked complete (it is actually marked failed by Ntencap). The next time the PCM service starts, it attempts to run the same package again.

Therefore, all operating system upgrade jobs requiring a shut down and restart of client computers running the PCM service under Windows NT constantly repeat.

CAUSE

Ntencap.exe waits to receive a shut down message. However, when running in a service context, Ntencap.exe never receives that shut down message.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server version 1.2. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Systems Management Server version 1.2 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K