SMS: SMS.MSC Randomly Disappears

ID: Q200447

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server version 2.0

SYMPTOMS

When starting the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), the following message is displayed:

Problem with Shortcut

The item 'sms.msc' that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved.....
The remainder of the message shows the nearest match and asks if you want to make the shortcut point to this item.


CAUSE

This message will appear if either of the following conditions is true:

  • The file cannot be located.


  • The user who is starting the Microsoft Management Console has insufficient permissions to access the file.


There is a known issue with the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). If the MMC fails to complete a normal shut down, the Sms.msc file may be removed from the system. As a result, the shortcut is not found when the Systems Management Server Administrator console is started.


WORKAROUND

Systems Management Server 2.0 comes with a file called Origmsc.cmd that will replace the missing Sms.msc. This command file will also replace the Explore.msc. To restore the original files, perform the following steps:

  1. Go to the SMS\BIN\Platform directory on the site server, where Platform is the correct platform (i386 or Alpha) of the computer.

    NOTE: If you are running this on a Remote Administrator user interface, the directory would be SMSADMIN\Bin\Platform by default.


  2. Run the Origmsc.cmd file.


  3. When prompted, press a key to allow the process to continue.


If you selected Yes in the earlier Problem With Shortcut box, the shortcut for the Systems Management Server Administrators Console would have been changed. If starting the Systems Management Server Administrator console brings up the Open With dialog box, you need to correct the Systems Management Server Administrator console shortcut to point to the correct Sms.msc file. To correct the shortcut, perform the following steps:
  1. Right-click the Start button and click Open All Users on the shortcut menu.


  2. Go to Programs\Systems Management Server.


  3. Right-click the Systems Management Server Administrator console and click Properties on the shortcut menu.


  4. Click the Shortcut Index tab.


  5. Edit the Target field to reflect the following information:
    drive:\SMS\bin\Platform\SMS.MSC
    Where drive: is the drive that the site server is installed on and Platform is the correct platform (i386 or Alpha) of the computer. Note that if you are running this on a Remote Administrator UI, the correct path is SMSADMIN\bin\platform.


  6. Click Apply, and then click OK.


At this point, the problem should be corrected, and the Systems Management Server Administrator console should appear.

NOTE: This process restores the original Sms.msc file to the system. If you had modifications to the Sms.msc that were deleted, you must reapply those changes.


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft Management Console version 1.1.

Additional query words: prodsms smsui mmc

Keywords : kbMMC kbSMS200 kbSMS200bug kbSMSAdmin
Version : winnt:2.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug


Last Reviewed: May 5, 1999
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