Outlook 2003 Clients having problems connecting to Exchange 2003

I've also built a DC and GC as i thought this may be the problem. However, it work fine for the first week then it went back to how it was.

Thanks

Andy

What exactly happens? does it disconnect and never connects until you re-open Outlook? Does it disconnect and reconnect automatically? Do you get a dialog box stating Outlook is trying to retrieve data?

The Outlook client pops up outlook is trying to connect to Microsoft Exchange sever and outlook just hangs / crashes.

You can hold crt + right click on the outlook icon on the task bar then go to connection status and click reconnect. Some time this cures it but more often then not the problem reoccurs.

So far the only way to temporally fix the problem is to reboot the exchange sever and then its fine.

Thanks

That Depend
how are the Client can not connect
that maybe due a DNS problems or DC unreachable
open outlook and Right Click on the outlook Icon next to the Clock
Select Connection State
Where are the Client stoped.
Make sure that the information store is mounted and working
Make sure that the Exchange Services are Started
MSEXchangeIS
MSExchangeSA
MSexchangeMTA
 

As far as i am aware the moment there are no problems or errors in the event logs on the DNS and DC. Ive tested both of these and created a new boxed incase this was the problem.

All Exchange serivces are started

Thanks

what about outlook Connection State ?

Server Name      Type     Interface Conn       Status        Req / Fail        Avg Resp
DC                  Direc          Broadcomm            TCIP          5/0                    0
DC                  Direc          Broadcomm            TCIP          3/0                    0
DC                  Direc          Broadcomm            TCIP          3/0                    0
Exch                Mail           Broadcomm            TCIP          335/3               12
DC                  Direc          Broadcomm            TCIP          3/0                    0
Exch                Mail           Broadcomm            TCIP          198/4               21
Exch                Mail           Broadcomm            TCIP          27/2                 42
Exch                Mail           Broadcomm            TCIP          244/1                27

Andy

what is the Error the user get when they try to connect to exchange
try to make  anew Mailbox
when you add it to outlook
will it work

Hi,

Ive already tryed this adding a new mailbox but it seems to be a global problem rather then a single or group of users.

The Outlook 2003, just pops up a message saying that its trying to connection to Microsoft Exchange sever.

I've just increased logging on MSExchangeIS and MsExchangeDSaccess to try and narrow where these errors are coming from.
Ive also just ran "netsh int ip set chimney disabled" As this can also cause network problems.

Andy

Is name resolving for the Server OK
can you NSlookup it and ping its NETbios name
and after your increase the logging
did any error appear
Make sure that there is no problem in Hosts File config.

Ping is fine
Nslookup is fine
dcdiag is fine on all DCs
netdiag is fine

ill just check the eventvwr.

Many Thanks

Andy

Hi AAM_IT,

Seems the Exchange Server may not be the issue, from your postings?

Have you looked into the fact that it may be on the clients side? (e.g. BlackIce Rogue Application service or Antivirus software).
Are all the clients using the same Image?
When the user is hung-up, what Processes is peaking out in memory or CPU, other than Outlook?
Have you recently added any Outlook "Add-ons"?
Has there been a recent MS update to either the client or server?

Hi,

Yes ive had a through look at the client side. I have also tested this on a basic build machine with just outlook on it and we still have the same problem. Not all clients have the same image, it changes for each department.  This is why i think its more of a exchange problem and or some thing to do with network latence and offloads etc..

CPU / RAM are both fine

No addings have been added to outlook, as far as i know.

I keep the servers updated with the MS updates. However, ive applied many of the latest patches with out any effect on the client.

One interesting issue to note is that OWA seems to work fine, even though outlook hangs (requesting data from exchange box)

Many Thanks

Andy  

It does sound like a network bottleneck issue, is the company backup ever running during this issue?

And have you installed a backup client recently on this server?

Running the backup in / out work hours doesn't have a effect on performance. As its takes a snaphot and then thats backed up by Netbackup.

No backclients are on the Exchange box.

Thanks

Andy

Ok, is the Exchange Server a GC, and what other roles is it performing? Does it how any IIS funcions for other servers that rely on in the Exchange server?

The exchange sever is just a member server.  The new DC has all the FMSO roles & GC on it.

IIS on the exchange box is only used for OWA etc...

Andy

And what software do you use to monitor Virus and Spyware activity on the server?

Also have you verified that all the disks on the servers RAID are functioning properly? (e.g. event logs etc)

Symantec AV Corp Ed.

Thanks
Andy

Forgive me if you answered this already...is it a specific time each day when this occurs? Have you checked the logs for Antivirus? Maybe specific setting have changed with Symantec's AV via an update?

Its normally peak times i.e 9:30 and 5 ish. Ive removed the AV from the server to tested route and its made no difference.

Many Thanks

Andy

MM, This may seem to be strange but try it
PLace the Exchange CD and run the Setup.exe /DisasterRecovery
This will force a FULL Reinstallation of Exchange and Also you have to apply the lastest SP
After that , you will need to Mount the database backup
Waiting for resuly

can i ask why you recommend that?

Thanks

Andy

Since increasing the logging i am noticing more of these events.

Event Type:      Warning
Event Source:      MSExchangeDSAccess
Event Category:      LDAP
Event ID:      2389
Date:            13/10/2008
Time:            09:19:21
User:            N/A
Computer:      EXCHANGE
Description:
Process STORE.EXE (PID=2860). A search request to Directory Server x.x.co.uk did not return a result within 120 seconds and is being abandoned.  The search will be retried if possible.  The search that failed has the following characteristics:  Base DN=, Filter=(legacyExchangeDN=/O=AAM/OU=AAM/cn=Recipients/cn=ediego-franceskides), Scope=c697db8.

For more information, click http://www.microsoft.com/contentredirect.asp.

Event Type:      Error
Event Source:      MSExchangeDSAccess
Event Category:      LDAP
Event ID:      2061
Date:            13/10/2008
Time:            09:16:21
User:            N/A
Computer:      EXCHANGE
Description:
Process STORE.EXE (PID=2860). An LDAP search call failed - Server=x.x.co.uk Error code=80040955. Base DN=, Filter=(legacyExchangeDN=/O=AAM/OU=AAM/cn=Recipients/cn=sknight), Scope=2.

For more information, click http://www.microsoft.com/contentredirect.asp.

Event Type:      Error
Event Source:      MSExchangeDSAccess
Event Category:      Topology
Event ID:      2103
Date:            13/10/2008
Time:            09:11:55
User:            N/A
Computer:      EXCHANGE
Description:
Process MAD.EXE (PID=1904). All Global Catalog Servers in use are not responding:
x.x.co.uk
 

For more information, click http://www.microsoft.com/contentredirect.asp.

Event Type:      Warning
Event Source:      MSExchangeDSAccess
Event Category:      LDAP
Event ID:      2115
Date:            13/10/2008
Time:            09:11:51
User:            N/A
Computer:      EXCHANGE
Description:
Process STORE.EXE (PID=2860). DSAccess needs to close a connection to the Domain Controller x.x.co.uk due to error 0x80040955.

For more information, click http://www.microsoft.com/contentredirect.asp.

HI
Today i face a simller problem and the Fix was just to run ForestPrep and Domain Prep
Restart the DC and THEN restart the Exchange
and it work fine
 

Hi Guys,

I've made a few changes and all looks good so far.

Reg Change:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

3. In the right pane, make sure that the DisableTaskOffload registry entry exists. If this entry does not exist, follow these steps to add the entry:

    a.  On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.

    b.  Type DisableTaskOffload, and then press ENTER.

4. Click DisableTaskOffload.

5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.

6. Type 1 in the Value data box, and then press ENTER.

7. Exit Registry Editor.

This disables TCP/IP offloading.

I've also removed one server from the RUS and replaced it with another one. Also on the Active Directory Tab under the exchange server i've hardcoded the DCs and GCs.

All seems well so far.

Thanks

Andy

Excellent, your very welcome!!