Task scheduler error 'data area passed to a system call is too small'

Question

I'm trying to schedule a McAfee VirusScan using Windows XP Task Scheduler.
Upon completing the schedule creation process when I enter my password I receive the following error message:

"The data area passed to a system call is too small."

Windows XP refuses to schedule the task.

I originally had no logon password configured for my computer. After creating a logon password and restarting my machine I continue to receive this error message.

I then removed the password, restarted the machine, set the registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa\limitblankpassworduse

to "0", restarted the machine, and tried to schedule the task again. It too failed with the same error message.

I'm runing a Dell Dimension 2400 with Windows XP version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp2.030422-1633: Service Pack 1)

I'm stumped. Any suggestions on what to try next?

kippy50 · Answer

I did a search of google for your error messages, no help.  I have a feeling they are McAfee specific.   Not much help for you, but it could steer you in the right direction.   As bad as I thought Norton was, Mcaffee seem to have its own quirks.  Kip

jwatt · Answer

There have been several threads about this problem, but none of them have been resolved. I finally found a Microsoft Knowledge Base article that may explain how to get around this bug in the Task Scheduler:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=264522

While the article doesn't reference XP, I suspect the Task Scheduler survived (unfortunately) intact from Win2k.

Jim

sdancechris · Answer

Hi Jim:

I had seen that article and decided it didn't apply to Windows XP because it's not mentioned in the "applies to" list.

I'll try the fix next weekend and see if it resolves the problem. Thanks.

Chris

TanyaLea · Answer

I am having the exact same problem as you are with scheduling McAfee's VirusScan. McAfee told me that Microsoft has a patch for Task Scheduler that could resolve this problem. However, Microsoft will not tell me where this patch is since Dell is the OEM and referred me back to Dell. Dell won't tell me where this patch is without paying for Advanced Software Technical Support. I was wondering if anyone had been able to help you resolve this issue. Does anyone know what the link is to this patch from Microsoft for the Task Scheduler?

Windows General

Task scheduler error "data area passed to a system call is too small"

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