Active Directory System Group Discovery may update the time stamp for SMS clients that no longer update their DNS records on a computer that is running SMS 2003 with Service Pack 2

You are using a computer that is running Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 with Service Pack 2 (SP2). In SMS 2003, you enable and configure the Delete Aged Discovery Data task to remove records that are related to SMS clients that are not active in the Domain Naming System (DNS) from the SMS site database. However, after you configure this task, Active Directory System Group Discovery may still update the time stamp for those SMS clients that no longer update their DNS records.

This problem occurs because of a fault in Active Directory System Group Discovery. Because of this fault, the Delete Aged Discovery Data task incorrectly determines that the SMS client records have been updated recently.

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 this specific problem. 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

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

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

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