Configuration Management Console Lacks All the Views

Well I was trying to configure a MMC with just certain objects such as just the computer management section. It runs a little wizard and you pick custom and you can select which options you want to show. That part worked but I tried to set it back and no matter what I picked it kept the same options with just the computer settings part.

I basically copied the adminconsole.msc from the install source in SMSSETUP\AdminUI\bin to Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Configuration Manager\AdminUI\bin

Then I ran my Console and all the settings were back in place. Not sure why re-running the wizard and selecting all the tree didn't fix it.

Another fix is to make a new MMC and add the System Center Configuration Manager Snap-in.

MMC cannot open the file drive:\SMS\bin\i386\sms.msc

Have you ever tried to run your SMS console and the following error appears?

MMC cannot open the file (drive):\SMS\bin\i386\sms.msc
This may be because the file does not exist, is not an MMC console, or was created by a later version of MMC. This may also be because you do not have sufficient rights to the file.

Happened to me twice so far and the fix is pretty simple. You must browse to C:\Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Microsoft\MMC\SMS and rename the sms file in that folder. I usually do a _old to keep just incase. After the rename just run the console again and it will recreate the file..

Thats it. From a little research it seems to happen when remoted to the SMS server and having the server lock / lose connecting while the console is still running.