SMS: INVWIN32 Stops Responding and Causes 100 Percent CPU Usage

ID: Q185973

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Systems Management Server version 1.2

SYMPTOMS

The Systems Management Server Inventory Agent for Windows NT Server (Invwin32), runs as a service. The service was written to activate every 24 hours to take the client's inventory. In some cases, Invwin32.exe (running as service) will run an inventory continuously, and consume between 80 and 100 percent of a computer's CPU time.

The following entries are recorded in the Invagent.log file:


   Invwin32.exe running as service.
   Attempting to locate/identify Apple zone.
   Locating/reading SMS.INI.
   Creating output file.
   Locating client MIF directories.

After the last line, the Systems Management Server Inventory service appears to stop responding and consumes 80 to 100 percent of the processor time until you stop the Inventory Agent service.

If you run Invwin32 as an executable file (using the /E /V /F switches) the problem will not occur, and the inventory is performed correctly.

CAUSE

The problem is caused by a corrupted Cmndhis.nt file.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do any of the following:

Remove the Cmndhis.nt file from the Ms\Sms\Data directory of the affected clients.

-or-

Wait for the next Systems Management Server service pack.

-or-

Contact Microsoft Technical Support to obtain the fix discussed below.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Systems Management Server version 1.2. A supported fix is now available, 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.

Additional query words: prodsms inventory corrupt hang halt

Keywords : kbbug1.20
Version : winnt:1.2
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug