"Unable to get scan program path - verify scan tool package and program name in Scan.ini is correct" error message is sent to Systems Management Server 2003 or Systems Management Server 2000 Service Pack 5 clients (830019)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP5

Notice

SYMPTOMS

When you create a package that contains the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 or the Microsoft SMS 2000 Service Pack 5 (SP5) Software Update Scanning Tools, and then you rename the package or the program items, you may notice the following issue. When the Software Update Installation Agent runs on the SMS 2003 or SMS 2000 SP5 client computers, and the Software Update Installation Agent cannot locate the correct package and the correct program, errors may occur. Users receive the following error message:
Unable to get scan program path - verify scan tool package and program name in Scan.ini is correct.

CAUSE

In SMS 2003 and SMS 2000 SP5, the Software Update Scanning Tools Scan.ini file that is contained in package source files must contain the correct package information. You must manually edit the Scan.ini file when you create a new package or when you change any one of the following package property values:
  • ID
  • Name
NoteThese values are case sensitive.

The inventory tools register the Scan.ini settings in a cache folder that is local to the client. The name value is contained in the inventory data and the name value permits the Distribute Software Updates Wizard to automatically select the most appropriate package and the most appropriate program to write the package information to the PatchAuthorize.xml file. Therefore, the PatchInstall.exe file picks the correct scan tool from the local cache on each client.

When you rename the package, the PatchAuthorize.xml file contains the new name, but the client scan tool cache contains the old name (from the Scan.ini file). The names do not match.

Note The PatchAuthorize.xml file is written by the Distribute Software Updates Wizard.

WORKAROUND

To manually edit the Scan.ini file, follow these steps:
  1. Right-click Start, and then click Explore.
  2. in Windows Explorer, locate the Scan.ini file. By default, the Scan.ini file is installed in the Program Files\SecurityPatch\PkgSource folder.
  3. Right-click the Scan.ini file, and then click Open with.
  4. In the Open with dialog box, click Notepad, and then click OK.
  5. In Notepad, change the ID value to reflect the new Package ID. If the Name value does not match, change the Name value to reflect the new package name.
  6. When you have made your changes, save the Scan.ini file, and then quit Notepad.
This behavior is by design.

REFERENCES

For more information about the SMS 2003 patch management process, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/cits/mo/swdist/pmsms/2003/pmsms031.mspx

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/13/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB830019 kbAudEndUser kbAudITPRO
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