SCCM: "WARNING: Exception Detected: Unspecified error~~ !!" in Sinvproc.log

We are seeing a few customers report this error in SCCM.  Unfortunately, the sinvproc.log is not very specific about what the problem is.  This does prevent the client's software inventory data from getting inserted into the database, causing the .sic file to be placed into the badsinv folder and a resync generated (creating a cycle of these errors followed by resyncs).  The software inventory scan does complete successfully on the client, this is a server side error.

As of today, we are seeing this caused by a file called ~0000.exe with a time stamped year of 1601.  This is a file used by Symantec's Ghost product.

The path to this file may be:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Symantec\Ghost\AutoInstall\Installed Applications\~0000.exe

There are 2 known workarounds:

1.  Delete the file on the client and run a full inventory.

2.  Exclude the folder that this file lives in from being scanned and run a full inventory.

The sinvproc.log will indicate the client its processing when the error occurs:

Processing Inventory for Machine: CLIENT123

...

WARNING: Exception Detected: Unspecified error~~ !!

Make sure these 2 entries reference the same thread Id (the hex number at the end of the line, as sinvproc can by multithreaded):

WARNING: Exception Detected: Unspecified error~~ !! SMS_SOFTWARE_INVENTORY_PROCESSOR 1/9/2008 11:45:52 AM 13768 (0x35C8)

As of today, the ~0000.exe with a year time stamp of 1601 is the only know file that is causing this error.  I will update the blog if I hear of any others. 

 

Update (5/19/2008)

From Symantec 

https://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/on-technology.nsf/docid/2008031311003660

 

Hotfix for SCCM:

https://support.microsoft.com/kb/950653/en-us