A task sequence that contains many packages may take longer to run after you install System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 or hotfix 949225

Consider the following scenario:

• Hotfix 949225 is installed on a computer. Or, Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is installed on a computer.
• A task sequence contains many packages. For example, a task sequence contains 50 packages.

In this scenario, the task sequence takes longer to complete than it does in System Center Configuration Manager 2007 RTM or without hotfix 949225. Additionally, the following message is logged in the Smsts.log file: Also, there is 90 second delay between every two packages.

This problem occurs because of a behavior change introduced in hotfix 949225.

This change adds 90 second delay to make sure that all task sequences are executed on the System Center Configuration Manager client-side when many task sequences are assigned to a client at the same time. However, it causes a side effect that a task sequence takes longer to run if it contains many packages.

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

You must have System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1 installed to apply this hotfix.

Restart requirement

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

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

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.

Installation instructions

This hotfix must be installed only on affected SMS Client computers.

To simplify the distribution of this hotfix, the hotfix installer automatically creates a package and a program that contain the SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-X86.msp file. The SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-X86-ENU.exe file creates only the package and the program. Before you can successfully install the hotfix package on SMS Advanced Clients, you must create an advertisement and target all SCCM 2007 SP1 Advanced Clients for distribution. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-X86-ENU.exe file, and then follow the instructions to create the package and the program.
2. Click Start, click All Programs, click Microsoft System Center, click Configuration Manager 2007, and then click ConfigMgr Console.
3. In the Configuration Manager Console, expand Computer Management, expand Software Distribution, expand Packages, right-click KB955955 - Advanced Client Hotfix - SCM, point to Distribute, and then click Software.
4. Follow the instructions in the Distribute Software Wizard to advertise and deploy the hotfix package.

If you want to manually install the hotfix on an SMS client computer, you can install the SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-X86.msp file from the command line on the SMS Client computer as follows:

msiexec.exe /P SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-X86.msp /L*v %temp% \ SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-X86.log /q REINSTALL=ALL REINSTALLMODE=mous

Note The %temp% placeholder is the location of the installation log file. The SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-X86.log placeholder is the name of the installation log file.

For operating system deployments, the KB955955 hotifx must be installed during a ConfigMgr OSD Task Sequence in the "Setup Windows and ConfigMgr" task. Otherwise, the problem continues to occur while the Task Sequence executes. To install the KB955955 hotfix during a ConfigMgr OSD Task Sequence, use the PATCH= option that is described in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:To install the KB955955 hotfix during a ConfigMgr 2007 OSD Task Sequence, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Task Sequence that you need to change, and then click Edit.
2. Click Setup windows and ConfigMgr.
3. In the Installation properties box, type the following:
   PATCH="%_SMSTSMDataPath%\OSD\<Package_ID>\i386\hotfix\KB955955\SCCM2007AC-SP1-KB955955-x86.msp"
   Note Make sure that you include the quotation marks as part of the path. Also, the <Package_ID> placeholder is the package ID of the ConfigMgr client installation package in ConfigMgr 2007.

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: