SMS: Client Setup Fails to Update Sms.ini on Windows NT System

ID: Q161216

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.2

SYMPTOMS

When the directory and file permissions are set to Read (RX) for the root of drive C on a computer running Windows NT, the Systems Management Server client setup program, Cli_nt.exe, cannot update the Sms.ini file. Even if the group "Everyone" is given full rights to the Sms.ini file, the file will not be updated. The following error message, indicating that Client Setup is unable to update the Sms.ini file, will be displayed when the application runs:

Problem opening or creating SMS.INI

CAUSE

Systems Management Server Client Setup attempts to create a temporary file in the root of drive C with a unique file name that is determined at the time of file creation. It will then write what will be the current contents of the Sms.ini file to this temporary file. Once this step has been completed, and no errors are detected, Client Setup will then copy the temporary file to Sms.ini, and then delete the temporary file.

Because all standard user rights can be locked down in drive C (according to Windows NT security recommendations), the Systems Management Server inventory operation described above will fail while trying to create a new temporary file.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, provide 'Change (RWXD)' rights to the root of drive C.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server versions 1.0, 1.1 and 1.2. A supported fix is now available for version 1.2 only, but has not been 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.

MORE INFORMATION

The supported fix requires a new Cli_nt.exe file that exposes the temporary file name created during the Sms.ini update. The new file name is Sms.new. If this file does not exist, it will be created in the root of drive C. If it does already exist, it will be opened and truncated. After Sms.new is created or opened, the updated Sms.ini information is written to this file. When this operation is completed, the file is copied back to Sms.ini. This file is no longer be deleted, but flagged with the Hidden file attribute instead.

Administrators can create a blank Sms.new file in a user's root directory, assign it the appropriate rights, and then lock down all other files except Sms.ini. This allows administrators to lock down the entire root directory on computer running Windows NT, except for the Sms.new and Sms.ini files, and the Systems Management Server inventory mechanism will continue to work properly.

Additional query words: prodsms cli_nt rights

Keywords : kbsetup kbbug1.00 smssetup smsinv kbbug1.10 kbbug1.20
Version : winnt:1.0,1.1,1.2
Platform : winnt
Issue type :