SMS: Software Licensing Offline Uploads Cease When Clock Synchronized on Client (226832)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 SP2
This article was previously published under Q226832

SYMPTOMS

When the date and time settings on a Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 client computer that runs the software metering client agent is accidentally set forward, the client no longer forwards software metering information to the software metering server when it (the client) is in offline mode. If the date and time settings are reset correctly, the client does not send data until the current date and time catch up to the incorrect date and time that had been set.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because when software metering is configured in offline mode, clients maintain a local log of software usage and then upload this information to the software metering server on a schedule. The next scheduled upload is based on the date and time settings of the client. When you reset the client date and time settings from a future date and time to the current date and time, the next scheduled upload time is not reset, and the client's next-upload time remains at the erroneous setting (in the future).

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article, and then remove SMS 2.0 client components from the computer that displays this behavior:

    199078 How to Remove a Systems Management Server 2.0 Client

  2. Correct the time on the client.
  3. Reinstall the SMS client components.
The only way to work around this issue is to uninstall and then reinstall the SMS 2.0 client.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Systems Management Server version 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION

You can use the Client Cleaner tool (20CliCln.bat) to remove all SMS 2.0 client components. SMSMan.exe may leave some files and registry entries on clients after being run. You must have Administrator rights on the client computer when you use the Client Cleaner tool. Otherwise, some SMS 2.0 files and registry settings will not be removed. 20CliCln.bat can be found in the Systems Management Server Resource Kit and in the supportability files that come with SMS 2.0.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/14/2005
Keywords:kbBug kbsmsMeter KB226832
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.