A software inventory operation does not work correctly in System Center Configuration Manager 2007 if the inventoried file has invalid time attributes

Consider the following scenario. You have a server that is running Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007. On this server, you perform a software inventory operation. However, the operation does not work correctly. This problem occurs if the years that are associated with any of the following time attributes for an inventoried file fall outside the range of 1970 to 2038:

• Last access time
• Creation time
• Last modification time

Specifically, you experience one of the following symptoms in this scenario:

• If the year of the time attribute is earlier than 1970, this inventoried file is rejected, and a resynchronization starts. Additionally, the Sinvproc.log file includes a warning message that resembles the following:
  WARNING: Exception Detected: Unspecified error~~
  !! SMS_SOFTWARE_INVENTORY_PROCESSOR Date_Time 1260 (0x04EC)
  Additionally, the SMS_SOFTWARE_INVENTORY_PROCESSOR component logs a status message ID 3701 that displays the following descprtion:
  SMS Software Inventory Processor failed to process software inventory file "D:\SMS\inboxes\auth\sinv.box\xxxxxxx.SIC," and has moved it to "D:\SMS\inboxes\sinv.box\BADSinv\xxxxxxx.SIC." Possible cause: The file attempted to update inventory information in the SMS site database that does not already exist, or the file contains invalid syntax. SMS Software Inventory Processor requested a resynchronization for machine "Computer name" because an attempt was made to update inventory information in the SMS site database that does not already exist.
• If the year of the time attribute is later than 2038, the SMS_Executive service (Smsexec.exe) process crashes immediately. No error information is logged in the Crash.log file. Additionally, you may find that the reference to the same .sid file or to the same .sic file is processed every time that the SMS_Executive service restarts.

This problem occurs because the software inventory module does not validate the time attributes of inventoried files before it processes the inventory data into the SMS database.

After you apply this hotfix, any invalid time attributes are automatically adjusted to January 1, 1970 in the inventory records. If you find that an inventoried file has this date, this indicates that the date was adjusted because it was previously out of range.

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 do not 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.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007, x86-based version

System Center Configuration Manager 2008, x64-based version

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

To work around this problem, delete the inventoried files that have invalid time attributes.

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