Alias doesn't work

Ensure that you have DNS configured on your system...and try replacing your exchange server name (within the Outlook Profile) with the name of a domain controller instead and see if it "finds" the alias then.

-Zoo

I've already ensured that.  I have static TCP/IP settings on the network, I've run dcdiag on the server to check all the DNS communications (all tests passed) i can ping everything using the FQDN, all computers are registered in DNS and I've blown away the Outlook settings on the clients and recreated them.  Still no go.

Must you use the Alias?  Have you tried the users network account? (I'm looking into a few possibilities) Any error code on the Exchange server or PC?

I don't have to use the alias, though I have several contacts with a similar name that when my users type in part of the name I want it to be able to resolve the whole name or give the option to pick from similar names.  Maybe there's another way.  This is how it is set up:

55t - Julian Smith
65r - Jules Johnson
44s - Julie Thompson

This was setup before I started working here and I know it's not the best way to set it up.  It's too difficult to remember the 3 digits before the name and the users know most of the people by first name.  So if someone typed "Jul" in the "To" box and click the "check name" icon I need all 3 of those names to pop up so they can click on the one they want.  The problem is that most work, some don't and any new contact I add doesn't work.  I can't seem to fix the problem.  I thought an Alias would work but it's not either.  Do you have a better suggestion?

Legdrop....

Okay I think I have a better understanding of what you are trying to accomplish.  The above 55t - Julian Smith; 65r - Jules johnson and 44s - Julie Thompson ARE the alias presently defined, correct?  It sounds as if your global Address List isn't updating...which is possible...But it problably something much simpler....

The following are some suggestions....tell me if any sound pausible and I'll expand on them if you want.

1.  Do any of your accounts use "Custom Attributes" to apply receipent policies?  If so, are the missing accounts missing custom attributes that the other accounts contain?
2.  You could recreate your Global Address list - it's possible that the missing new contacts would appear
3.  Create another Address List and another Recipent Policy.  With the new Receipent Policy you would make the email alias have the correct format...and use then new address list to display.  You users would have an Address List within Outlook...but when they perform a look up by typing in the first three letters Outlook would show the correct email receipents.....

-zoo

Actually the 55t - is the display name and the alias.  But I've played with the alias and nothing works.  The only thing that resolves is if we type in 55t - then it resolves.   But it's not resolving any other part of the name.  Yet, most of my old contacts are resolving if I type in Jul (for example).  

I don't use any custom attributes, only the defaults.

I will try your suggestion for #3.

Thanks.

Zoo,

I've tried option #3 and that didn't work.  I'm not sure hoe to recreate the GAL though.

I found the answer.  For some reason it's taking about 24 hours for any of the changes I make to take effect.  The server is not bogged down doing anything else so I don't know the reason for the dealy.  Thanks to all who submitted suggestions.