The Systems Management Server (SMS) Agent Host service (Ccmexec.exe) stops responding on a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 client computer

Consider the following scenario:

• You create a maintenance window (also known as a service window) for a Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 (SP2) collection.
• You create a mandatory advertisement for the collection.
• You join a System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 client computer to the collection.
• You change the system time on the client computer when the advertisement is scheduled within the maintenance window.

In this scenario, the Systems Management Server (SMS) Agent Host service (Ccmexec.exe) may stop responding. Additionally, software distribution and software updates are blocked on the client computer.

This issue occurs because of a dead lock that is caused by a timing issue in Service Windows Manager.

To resolve this issue, install this hotfix on the System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 (SP2) client computer.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is 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 the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if 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. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must have System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 2 (SP2) installed.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English (United States) version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 file information notes

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

Client installation properties

If you specified a client push installation property when you installed the System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP1 client or the System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 client, you must specify the property again when you install the hotfix. If you do not specify the property again when you install the hotfix, the property is removed from the configuration. For example, if you modified the original installation by using the server locator point (SMSSLP) or the fallback status point (FSP) property, you must specify that property again when you install the hotfix.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: