The SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent continuously starts the Wowdeb.exe file until a virtual DOS machine (NTVDM) crashes (890351)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0

SYMPTOMS

After you apply security update 840987, the Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 Software Metering client agent (Licclint.exe) continuously starts the Wowdeb.exe file until a virtual DOS machine (NTVDM) crashes. (Security update 840987 is documented in security bulletin MS04-032.)

Additionally, the following information is logged multiple times per second in the Licclint.log file:

fnEnumerateTasks(): WowDeb not present - attempting launch
WOWDEB.EXE Launched successfully
This problem occurs on an SMS 2.0 client computer that has the Software Metering client agent enabled.

CAUSE

This issue occurs because an old version of the Vdmdbg.dll file is included with the SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent. The Licclint.exe file incorrectly uses the old version of the Vdmdbg.dll file instead of the latest version.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Systems Management Server 2.0 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.
Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
--------------------------------------------------------------
24-Nov-2004  06:13                     13,155  Filemap.ini
20-Feb-2004  02:03  2.0.6.7           355,242  Smsupdate.exe    
01-Dec-2004  05:49                        283  Client40.fil
05-Aug-2000  17:51  2000.80.194.0     274,489  Ntwdblib.dll     
22-Feb-2003  18:05  2.0.1493.5011     855,312  Preinst.exe      

Hotfix installation instructions

  1. Create a shared folder in a location that can be accessed by the SMS site servers.
  2. Copy the SMS2.0-SP5-KB890351-X86-ENU.exe hotfix file to the new shared folder.
  3. On each SMS primary and secondary site server in your environment, use an account that has administrative credentials to log on.
  4. Close the SMS Administrator Console if it is open.
  5. On each primary and secondary site server, connect to the shared folder that contains the hotfix, double-click the SMS2.0-SP5-KB890351-X86-ENU.exe file, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.
Note This hotfix just removes the old version of the Vdmdbg.dll file from the package of the SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent. Therefore, you have to uninstall and then re-install the SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent. After you apply this hotfix, disable the SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent. Wait until the SMS 2.0 clients uninstall the SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent, and then re-enable the SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent. By default, SMS 2.0 clients take 23 hours to uninstall the Software Metering client agent.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, you can manually remove the old version of the Vdmdbg.dll file from the %windir%\MS\SMS\Clicomp\Licmtr\i386 folder. Then, the Licclint.exe file will use the correct version of the Vdmdbg.dll file. The correct version is located in the %windir%\System32 folder.

Note If the SMS 2.0 Software Metering client agent is re-installed, the old version of the Vdmdbg.dll file will be installed on the computer, and the problem will occur again.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/14/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbHotfixServer kbBug kbfix kbExpertiseInter KB890351 kbAudITPRO