SMS: Despooler Service Processes SNI Files Slowly

• Microsoft Systems Management Server version 1.2

SYMPTOMS

After Systems Management Server jobs are canceled, it may appear that subsequent jobs remain in a pending state. The Systems Management Server Despoolr.log file may display the following:

   Despooler failed to execute the instruction, error code = 38a

CAUSE

Canceling a Systems Management Server job may corrupt the *.sni file. This causes the Despooler Service to process very slowly through each corrupt file, and display the message listed in the Symptoms section. SNI files are job status MIFS returning from the client, and are processed before INS files. It appears that Despooler is not getting to the Pending jobs.

Also, deleting an active job, or deleting a job before it is completely canceled can also cause the error to occur.

WORKAROUND

Examine the SMS\Site.srv\Despoolr.box\Receive directory and move all *.sni files that are unrelated to current active jobs to a temporary subdirectory.

Some good practices to implement include the following:

• If you cancel your jobs, do not delete them until they have been canceled for 48 hours.
• If you are canceling jobs, do not cancel more than one at a time.
• Do not delete Active jobs.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Systems Management Server version 1.2. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.