SMS: Problems with Smsapm32.exe When No Distribution Points Are Available (302535)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP2
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP3
This article was previously published under Q302535

SYMPTOMS

When a program has a mandatory advertisement, but is not mandatory over slow links, APM reschedules the program to run at the next run time, which is right away. This results in Smsapm32.exe repeatedly trying to run the advertised program. During this time, the Smsapm32.log file rolls over very quickly, and the Smsapm32.exe process generates a large amount of processor utilization. As soon as a valid distribution point is found, the program runs.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Systems Management Server version 2.0. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

288239 SMS: How to Obtain the Latest Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack 4.

MORE INFORMATION

A variety of network conditions and errors can generate the symptoms that are related to this problem. However, defining user connection limits on the distribution point shares (SMSPKGx$) also generates the symptoms.

The following entries from the Smsapm32.log file show some of the Smsapm32.exe behavior that is associated with this problem: 
SCHEDULER   : Return code = 0x80070043; The network name cannot be 
found.~~; ERROR: the path is not accessible.  
SCHEDULER   : The Distribution Point path was not added to the program 
location list.~  
SCHEDULER   : Completed enumeration.~ 
SCHEDULER   : Successfully populated the program location list with 0 
distribution points from a total available number of 1.~  
SCHED DATA  : Failed to set up program.  Program location list is not 
populated.~
SCHED DATA  : Access to all distribution points is through slow links.~
SCHED DATA  : Handling an error condition (0xe0040013) for program Manual 
Test in package Test Application.~ 
SCHED DATA  : Beginning with a job run status set to 
APA_RUNSTATUS_NOT_RUNNING.~ 
SCHED DATA  : The error requires that some type of reschedule action be 
taken.~ 
SCHED DATA  : Attempting to get action for failure condition 0xe0040013.~
SCHEDULER   : The monitor has indicated that a countdown dialog is 
required before executing a scheduled program.~ 
SCHED DATA  : This job does  require a countdown dialog.~  
SCHED DATA  : The network is too slow.  Use the next schedule time.~  
SCHED DATA  : Returning action code 4.~
The preceding log entries suggest that the network was "too slow". However, this is the log entry that occurs when the advertisement property Assignments are not mandatory over slow links is enabled and no distribution points are found.

A hotfix does exist for this problem. However, Microsoft recommends that you apply the hotfix that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

302674 Advertisement Doesn't Run After Distribution Point Is Unavailable

This is a closely-related problem, and the hotfix that is described in that article also contains the fix for the problem that is described in this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/23/2003
Keywords:kbAdvertisement kbBug kbenv kbfix kbsms200preSP4fix kbSoftwareDist KB302535
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