Microsoft KB Archive/271602

= SMS: MSI Packages May Not Work When Distributed by SMS =

Article ID: 271602

Article Last Modified on 10/27/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack 1
 * Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack 2

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This article was previously published under Q271602



SYMPTOMS
When the Systems Management Server (SMS) Advertised Package Manager (APM) attempts to start a local Microsoft Installer (MSI) package installation on a Windows 2000 Professional-based client computer, if the program that starts is local to the client and the source files are on a distribution point, the program may not be installed successfully.



CAUSE
This issue occurs because the working folder (source file location) is at a remote location. If the installation is launched from a Setup.exe or Msiexec.exe file that is located on the client computer, if the file needs to retrieve files from a distribution point, the connection may not be available and the installation then does not succeed.

The following command line indicates how MSI packages work:

c:\winnt\msiexec.exe /i \\svr001\sms$\smspkg\package.msi /qr

Msiexec.exe is stored on the client computer under the C:\Winnt folder by default. This program file is called on in addition to the path to the MSI package that the file then installs. Because the files are located in a remote location, the APM drops the connection to the distribution point after it starts to install the program file locally on the client computer. The MSI then generates error messages with an error code 1619 that state that the MSI could not access the package file.

Because MSI (Msiexec.exe) resolves to a local path, the APM does not maintain the connection to the distribution point. When the connection to the distribution point is released, the working folder is no longer accessible and the APM does not succeed.



WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, ensure that the connection remains and runs properly. To do this, specify the path to the distribution point in the package by using a custom share point or by manually specifying the complete path including the package identification (ID) for the package.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Keywords: kbadvertisement kbbug kbnofix kbpackage kbsms200presp3 kbsoftwaredist KB271602

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