SMS: File Time Stamp Is Changed During Software Distribution Across Time Zones

If a package is distributed from one site to another, and the sites are in different time zones, the time stamp on the package's source files may be changed.

For example, assume that you have a package source file with a time of 8:30 P.M. on a Systems Management Server (SMS) site in the U.S. Eastern time zone (GMT -5:00). In Windows Explorer, the file shows a time stamp of 8:30 P.M when you view the file locally. After the package that contains this file is distributed to a site in the U.S. Pacific time zone (GMT -8:00), the file also shows an 8:30 P.M. time stamp when it is viewed locally at the destination site. However, the file should show a time stamp of 5:30 P.M. when it is viewed locally. If you view the same file remotely from the originating site, it shows a time stamp of 11:30 P.M.

Other than the time-stamp difference, there is no difference between the files at the originating site and the files at the destination site.

The compressed package file that is used to transmit the package source files from one site to another does not store the time-zone information for the originating site. When the package file is decompressed at the destination site, the source files are stored with the same date and time as on the originating site. There is no compensation for the time-zone differences.

Service Pack Information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix Information

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Systems Management Server service pack that contains this hotfix.

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 about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The post-Service Pack 3 version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: NOTE: Because of file dependencies, the most recent hotfix or feature that contains the above files may also contain additional files.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Service Pack 5.

To determine if the problem that is described in this article has occurred, use one computer to view the details of the files in a package. Use one instance of Windows Explorer to view the files at the originating site, and use another instance of Windows Explorer to view the files at the destination site's distribution point. If the package's source files show a difference in time (a difference of hours for most time zones), the package source files at the destination site have been affected by this problem.

Hotfix Installation Instructions

Apply the fix to all of the sites in the SMS hierarchy. After you apply the hotfix, the date and time stamps are handled correctly for any new package, or any package that you redistribute. To correct existing packages, use the Manage Distribution Points Wizard. In SMS Administrator, right-click a package, and then use the Update all distribution points with a new package source version option.

How to Use the Hotfix Installer

NOTE: You can use this method only on Intel-based computers.

1. Copy the hotfix folder structure to a share on your network. Note that Q319427.exe is a Microsoft SMS Installer file that updates specific files on your site server.
2. Log on to the site server by using an account with administrator permissions.
3. On the site server, quit the SMS Administrator console.
4. Run the Q319427.exe tool and then follow the instructions in the wizard. You can run the file in Quiet mode by using the /s switch.

How to Manually Install the Hotfix

1. On the site server, quit the SMS Administrator console.
2. Stop the SMS Site Component Manager, SMS Executive, Windows Management, and SMS SQL Monitor services on the site server.
3. Replace the Baseutil.dll file in the Sms_root_folder\Bin\Platform folder with the version of the file from the hotfix.
4. Restart the SMS Site Component Manager, SMS Executive, Windows Management, and SMS SQL Monitor services.