A Systems Management Server 2003 management point computer cannot copy messages that are sent by Systems Management Server 2003 client computers

When a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 client computer sends a message that contains a hardware or software inventory report to an SMS 2003 management point computer, the message cannot be copied by the SMS 2003 management point computer, and the message is discarded.

You may receive an error in the Ccmexec.log file that is similar to the following: The Ccmexec.log file is located in the Winnt\System32\CCM\Logs folder on the SMS 2003 site server computer or in the SMS\CCM\Logs folder on the SMS 2003 management point computer.

Additionally, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following in the Clientauth.log file: The Clientauth.log file is located in the \SMS\Logs folder on the SMS client computer.

This behavior occurs when the SMS 2003 client computer uses a private key that does not match the SMS client key to send a message. (The SMS client key is located in the database on the SMS 2003 site server.) When this behavior occurs, the SMS client computer cannot authenticate with the SMS 2003 management point computer, and the signed message is discarded.

For example, when an SMS management point computer requires that a message be signed, the SMS 2003 client computer contacts the management point computer and sends the public key to that computer. Then, the SMS 2003 client computer uses the private key that is stored in its certificate repository to sign the message.

However, if an SMS client computer receives an updated certificate, or if a new SMS client is installed that has the same name as an existing SMS client computer, the private key that was used by the SMS client computer to sign the message does not match the key that is contained in the database. Therefore, the message is discarded.

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