SMS: Floppy Drive Spins During Hardware Inventory Scans

In Microsoft Systems Management Server version 2.0, normal hardware scans may cause constant scanning of the drive A diskette. An Event ID 115 may also be observed on Microsoft Windows NT clients.

During a hardware inventory of a client, the constant scanning of drive A is not a problem if the inventory is set to run when the computer is not in use. The hardware inventory is performed using file Hinv32.exe on 32-bit clients. Hinv32.exe enumerates all instances specified in the local Managed Object Format (MOF) file.

This information is specified in the client's MOF file and is called SMS_DEF.MOF. This file can be found at X:\%windir%\MS\SMS\Clicomp\Hinv.

To disable the constant scanning of drive A during a hardware inventory, use either of the following options:

• Modify the SMS_DEF.MOF file on the primary site system in the file X:\SMS\Inboxes\Clifiles.src\Hinv. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Open the file in Microsoft WordPad or Notepad.
  2. Locate the following entry in the MOF file:
     [SMS_Report (TRUE),SMS_Group_Name ("Logical Disk"), ResID(2100),ResDLL("SMS_RXPL.dll"),SMS_Class_ID("MICROSOFT|LOGICAL_DISK|1.0")]class Win32_LogicalDisk : SMS_Class_Template
  3. Change the line [SMS_Report (TRUE) to [SMS_Report (FALSE).
     
     NOTE: Disabling the individual settings in this class is not sufficient.
  4. Run the MOF Compiler and allow it to transfer copies to clients.CAUTION: When the MOF Compiler is run, misplaced white space in the SMS_DEF.MOF file may cause the MOF file to compile unsuccessfully. Avoid adding white space while editing in WordPad or Notepad.
  
  
• Change the MOF Manager utility that comes with the Systems Management Server product. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Open the MOF Manager utility, and then click the Open icon (the icon is a drive with an arrow pointed to a blue document).
  2. Navigate to the file X:\SMS\Inboxes\Clifiles.src\Hinv\SMS_DEF.MOF.
  3. Scroll through the Class List on the left, and then double-click Win32_LogicalDisk.
  4. In the area preceding the Class List, locate Group Name: Logical Disk, change the Report option button selection to No, and then click Save.
  5. Run the MOF Compiler and allow it to transfer copies to clients.

Installing the MOF Manager with the Initial Systems Management Server 2.0 Release CD-ROM

Specify the directory in which to install the MOF Manager utility, locate the file Support\Reskit\Bin\platform\Mofman\Setup.exe, and then run Setup.

Service Pack 1 Source Files:

If you are using the files from the Service Pack 1 release and have already run Support.exe and extracted the files, there is no need to run Setup. The MOF Manager executable file is in the following location:

Service Pack Two Source Files:

If you are using the files from the Service Pack 2 release and have already run the Support.exe and extracted the files, there is no need to run Setup. The MOF Manager executable file is in the following location: After you complete the installation, the MOF Manager is ready to run.

NOTE: Running a version of the MOF Manager earlier than Service Pack 2 may cause MOF compilation failures when Systems Management Server attempts to process the MOF file.

After you save the edits to the MOF, the file is automatically transferred to each client access point (CAP). Client Component Installation Manager (CCIM) transfers it to the client during its regular maintenance cycle and places it in the following location: The next time the hardware inventory agent on the client runs, it detects the newer version in this location (immediately above) and copies it to the following location to be compiled: To expedite your testing, copy the SMS_DEF.MOF file to X:\%Windir%\MS\SMS\Clicomp\Hinv. Then, in Control Panel, run the Systems Management utility. Display the contents under the Components tab, highlight Hardware Inventory Agent, and then click Start Component. This action forces a hardware inventory of the client using the new modified MOF. If drive A does not constantly scan, the change has been successfully executed.