SMS: How to Use %PCMUNC% to Stop the Use of Drive Letter Mapping

ID: Q191341

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

Using Pcmsvc32.exe for software distribution may cause a drive mapping conflict if the receiving client computer has been turned off. The conflict arises when the client computer becomes active and PCMSVC32 detects a job waiting when it polls the logon server. The job will begin to run before the user logs on.

CAUSE

When Pcmsvc32.exe polls the logon server and finds a new job waiting for installation, a drive is mapped to the SMS_PKGx share of the distribution server. The conflict occurs if the job is still running when the user logs on and the drive is mapped to a letter that the logon script would normally assign to a home directory or shared application directory. Thus, the user loses access to that reference and must run the logon script again (that is, the user must log on again) after PCMSVC32 has completed.

WORKAROUND

Systems Management Server 1.2 Service Pack 3 has built-in functionality to use a variable that allows only UNC connections to be made. The %PCMUNC% variable is added to the command line within the package. To enable this functionality, perform the following steps:

1. In the Systems Management Server Administrator program, go to the

   Packages window.

2. In a package, click Workstations, and then click Properties.

3. In the Command Line field, type %PCMUNC% and then the .exe, .com, .bat,

   or other file that would be used. For example, you would type something
   like:

      Command Line:%pcmunc% audit.bat

MORE INFORMATION

This information is in the in the section about "Upgrading Windows NT Operating Systems" in the Install.doc that comes with Systems Management Server 1.2 Service Pack 3 (located at Support\Pcmsvc32\Install.doc).

Additional query words: Package Distribution Mapping MAP PCMSVC32 prodsms

Keywords          : smspcm 
Version           : WINNT:1.2
Platform          : winnt
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: August 13, 1998