SMS: Software Inventory Scans Drive M on Exchange 2000 (304016)

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

After you run a Systems Management Server (SMS) software inventory scan on a Microsoft Exchange Server 2000-based server, you may notice that the "Last Logged On By" and "Last Logon Time" columns in the Exchange System Manager tool have changed. The "Last Logged On By" column displays "SMSCliToknAcct&" as the account name and the "Last Logon Time" column matches the date and time the software inventory scan last ran. Depending on the number of mailboxes, the software inventory scan could take hours to finish.

Note that accessing the mailbox folders on the Exchange Installable File System (IFS) drive (which defaults to drive M) with a domain administrator account has the same effect on the "Last Logged On By" and "Last Logon Time" columns.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Systems Management Server service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English Service Pack 2 (SP2) version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Date         Time   Version         Size     File name        Platform
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   10-Jun-2001  13:50                       67  Compversinv.ini  Intel
   10-Jun-2001  13:50                  284,477  Insinv32.exe     Intel
   10-Jun-2001  13:50  2.00.1493.2220  104,816  Sinv32.exe       Intel
   10-Jun-2001  13:50                       67  Compversinv.ini  Alpha
   10-Jun-2001  13:50                  512,271  Insinv32.exe     Alpha
   10-Jun-2001  13:50  2.00.1493.2220  151,824  Sinv32.exe       Alpha

Note that the fix that is described in Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q241982 also resolves this issue, and vice versa. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

241982 SMS: Substitute Command "Subst" Locks Out SMSCliToknAcct& and SMSCCMBootAcct& Accounts

NOTE: Because of file dependencies, the most recent hotfix or feature that contains the above files may also contain additional files.

WORKAROUND

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

You can make the following registry change to hide the IFS drive from Windows Explorer and prevent SMS from scanning the drive:

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Locate and click the following value in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EXIFS\Parameters\DriveLetter
Change the data value to be blank (clear the M and do not leave a space).
Reboot the server.

IMPORTANT: Hiding the Exchange IFS drive by modifying the registry value may prevent Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) from functioning properly.