Microsoft KB Archive/837931

= Patchinstall.exe may remove file names from the PendingFileRenameOperations registry subkey in Systems Management Server 2003 =

Article ID: 837931

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003

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SYMPTOMS
The Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 Software Updates Installation Agent (Patchinstall.exe) may remove file names from the following registry subkey:

When these file names are removed, the operating system may not be able to replace important files that are scheduled to be replaced the next time that the computer starts. When this problem occurs, the computer may become unstable or stop responding, depending on which files were not replaced.

This problem can occur on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Server 2003.



CAUSE
This problem may occur if Patchinstall.exe starts Update.exe when an instance of Update.exe or Spuninst.exe is already running. This problem may also occur if Patchinstall.exe starts Update.exe after other instances of Update.exe or Spuninst.exe finish running and before the computer restarts.

Update.exe and Spuninst.exe are used to install and remove Windows service packs and some hotfixes.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Restart requirement
You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) 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 25-Dec-2003 13:10  2.50.2726.138  348,160  Patchinstall.exe Note Because of file dependencies, the most recent hotfix or feature that contains these files may also contain additional files.

Hotfix installation instructions

 * 1) Create a folder in a location that your SMS site servers can access.
 * 2) Copy the SMS2003-RTM-KB837931-X86-ENU.exe update file to the new folder.
 * 3) From each primary and secondary SMS site server in your environment, log on to your site server by using an account with administrative credentials.
 * 4) Quit the SMS Administrator console if it is running.
 * 5) Double-click the SMS2003-RTM-KB837931-X86-ENU.exe update file, and then follow the instructions in the wizard.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
To use the updated version of Patchinstall.exe to modify and refresh existing packages and updates, follow these steps:
 * 1) In the SMS Administrator console, click Site Database.
 * 2) On the Action menu, click All Tasks, and then click Distribute Software Updates.
 * 3) In the Distribute Software Updates Wizard, click Next until you reach the Create an SMS Package, or modify Packages and Updates page.
 * 4) Click the package that you want to refresh, and then continue through the wizard.

Modifications are not required to refresh the package and distribution points with the updated version of Patchinstall.exe.

Repeat these steps for each package that you want to refresh.

The updated version of Patchinstall.exe does not use Update.exe to install patches if it detects that Update.exe or Spuninst.exe is already running. It also waits to apply patches if it detects that a Windows service pack or a hotfix has installed files that require a restart. If any one of these scenarios occurs, Patchinstall.exe quits, and you receive one of the following error messages:

ServicePack/Hotfix Update or Uninstall is running. QChain process won't be started

Uninstall reboot is pending. QChain process won't be started

ServicePack/Hotfix Uninstall is running. QChain process won't be started.

To avoid conflicts between installation processes, Patchinstall.exe prevents other programs and users from installing or uninstalling Windows service packs and hotfixes while it runs Update.exe.

Keywords: KB837931

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