SMS: PCM "Execute" Button Unavailable or Dimmed

ID: Q193784

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

If a "Run Command on Workstation" job is run through Package Command Manager (PCM) and the package for the job was created from a .pdf file that contains "SynchronousSystemExitRequired", PCM may stop in a state where the Execute button is unavailable or dimmed. The PCM log will show that the job is continuing indefinitely. Subsequent jobs sent to the computer will also have the Execute button unavailable, and also will not run.

Viewing the Pcmwin.log file in smstrace reveals that the log is continuously filling up with messages similar to the following: 

   [09/28/98 18:21:05] Package Command Manager ==> The running process
   handle is 0
   [09/28/98 18:21:05] Package Command Manager ==> A job is not in process.
   [09/28/98 18:21:07] Package Command Manager ==> Monitoring running job.
   [09/28/98 18:21:07] Package Command Manager ==> The running process
   handle is 0
   [09/28/98 18:21:07] Package Command Manager ==> A job is not in process.
   [09/28/98 18:21:09] Package Command Manager ==> Monitoring running job.
   [09/28/98 18:21:09] Package Command Manager ==> The running process
   handle is 0
   [09/28/98 18:21:09] Package Command Manager ==> A job is not in process.

CAUSE

This problem only occurs if the .pdf file used to create the package contains "SynchronousSystemExitRequired".

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Systems Management Server service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: 

   http://support.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/default.asp
The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: 

   Date       Time       Size     File name    Platform
   ----------------------------------------------------
   9/21/98    6:50pm     442 KB   Pcmwin16.exe (x86)
   9/21/98    6:50pm     455 KB   Pcmwin32.exe (x86)
   9/24/98   10:54am     260 KB   Pcmsvc32.exe (x86)

   9/21/98    6:50pm   1,142 KB   Pcmwin32.exe (Alpha)
   9/24/98   10:53am     776 KB   Pcmsvc32.exe (Alpha)
NOTE: If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, a fee may be charged. This fee is refundable if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested. However, this fee is non-refundable if you request additional technical support, if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q154871
   TITLE     : Determining If Your Product Is Eligible for No-Charge
               Technical Support

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, try any of the following:

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server version 1.2 Service Pack 4.

MORE INFORMATION

To install the hotfix, perform the following steps on the Systems Management Server site server:

1. Replace the Pcmwin32.exe file in the 

   <SMS_root_directory>\Site.srv\Maincfg.box\Client.src\<Platform>.bin
   directory with the hotfixed version.
2. Replace the Pcmwin16.exe file in the 
   <SMS_root_directory>\Site.srv\Maincfg.box\Client.src\X86.bin directory
   with the hotfixed version.
3. Maintenance manager will replicate the new Pcmwin16.exe and Pcmwin32.exe 
   files to the Logon.srv\<Platform>.bin directory on the Systems
   Management Server logon servers during its next work cycle. After that
   occurs, you can update the clients.

   To update the clients, either manually run Upgrade.bat on each client,
   or follow the instructions in the following article in the Microsoft
   Knowledge Base:

      ARTICLE-ID: Q166771
      TITLE     : SMS: How to Force Site-Wide Client Updates
4. Replace the Pcmsvc32.exe file in the 
   <SMS_root_directory>\Site.srv\<platform>.bin with the hotfixed version.
   After Systems Management Server has completed a work cycle and has
   updated the Pcmsvc32.exe file on all Systems Management Server member
   servers, restart the Systems Management Server member servers or stop
   and start the SMS_PACKAGE_COMMAND_MANAGER_NT service, to ensure that the
   service is running with the newly updated version of Pcmsvc32.exe.
5. To distribute the new version of Pcmsvc32.exe to non-Systems Management 
   Server member servers and workstations, use the Rservice utility. For
   instructions on how to use the Rservice utility, read the Install.doc
   file that is included with Microsoft Systems Management Server 1.2
   Service Pack 4 in the Support\Pcmsvc32 directory.
Additional query words: prodsms dim gray grey greyed grayed out freeze hang 
Keywords          : kbbug1.20 smspcm 
Version           : WINNT:1.2
Platform          : winnt
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

Last Reviewed: October 7, 1998