Task Sequence reports exit error code 183

Every (mostly even) task sequence reports exit error code 183 if you advertise several task sequences to a SMS/SCCM client machine in Configuration Manager 2007.

The error normally appears in SCCM when you perform the below tasks:

1. You create several task sequences in SCCM 2007.
2. You advertise these task sequences to a SMS/SCCM clients. All advertisements are mandatory.
3. All advertisements are scheduled to run at the same time.
4. User notification is disabled in the properties of the advertised programs client agent.

Note that this problem does not occur when user notification is enabled.

When this problem occurs, information that resembles the following is logged in the execmgr.log file as:
1600 (0x0640) 19.12.2007 13:31:34 Program exit code 183
1600 (0x0640) 19.12.2007 13:31:34 Script for Package:J1000014, Program: * failed with exit code 183
1600 (0x0640) 19.12.2007 13:31:34 Execution is complete for program *. The exit code is 183, the execution status is FailureNonRetry 

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in SCCM 2007, and the Article ID 946519 explains the scenario with a Hotfix and Workaround steps.

Hotfix:

You can download the hotfix @ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946519

Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described above. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

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

WORKAROUND-1

Enable user notification in the properties of the advertised programs client agent. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Configuration Manager console.
2. In the console tree, expand Site Management, expand the node that corresponds to the current site, expand Site Settings, and then click Client Agents.
3. In the details pane, right-click Advertised Programs Client Agent, and then click Properties.
4. On the Notification tab, click to select Provide a countdown, and then click OK.

 

WORKAROUND-2

Use only one task sequence at a time :)

Ref.: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946519