Exchange 2003 priv1.edb growing

So, it's growing without any interaction, is that what you're saying?
(ie. it is not in use?)

No- the server is in use by all the clients.  I took it offline a couple of times to run NTBackup on it and do offline defrags, but I've always re-enabled it.  Right now I have Exmon running to see if I can find anything strange.

Is it a busy exchange server?
How many users does it support? (about 300 - 400 with average use for this size?)
(Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to understand clearly)

No problem at all- There are about 50 users.  
Just FYI, this is Server 2003 Standard w/ SP2 running Exchange System 6.5.7638.1

I'm going to try re-installing Exchange SP2 next.

I'm assuming that the .stm file matches the .edb..
Try doing a DB repair - maybe use something like this: http://www.edbrepairtool.com/

Did this start happening after you installed exchange sp2?

No on both.  The system had SP2  installed when my company "inherited" the support of it.  The only significant change we've made is moving the database files (per MS instruction, of course) from the old location on the C: drive to the D: drive for storage space issues.

priv1.edb is currently 25.3GB
priv1.stm is only 2.1GB

Sorry, I should have been clearer - the date / time modified on both files is the same?

Ah- I see what you are going for-
No they are not the same, I'll attach a screen snip.

Strange- I would expect both to at least have today's date...



priv1-dates.JPG

Update- I reinstalled Exchange SP2.  There was one error with an ActiveSync component not being able to be updated- other than that it completed.

Both the edb and stm are know showing last accessed timestamp of today.  Both are still the same size, though.

I have Kaspersky for Exchange running so I don't think it's a virus.  I have ran eseutil /d but not /p- should I try /p to do a repair?

If there was something else in that post I was supposed to pick up on, please let me know.

I am currently looking into edb repair tools- but most seem to be for recovery of a corrupted edb- not compacting it.

One thing that may be worth noting:  This Server does not connect to any outside source to download email.  All the clients have two email accounts set up in their Outlook installs- a POP3 account that connects as normal to the Network Solutions POP3 and SMTP servers, and an Exchange account that gives the users access to the shared Calendar and Address List.  Basically, no email passes through the server.  With that said, however, I've noticed when I set up an account for a new on the server if their SMTP settings in Exchange are not correct it does cause issues with inter-office mail.  I think this is due to the GAL reporting the user's information incorrectly.

I ran an integrity check via eseutil and yet another offline defrag- the database shrunk to 10GB.  Other than reinstalling SP2 and checking integrity, I'm not sure what was different this time around- but I'm not going to be picky.  I'll monitor the file size and see if it stays under control now.  Points to RobinHuman for all their help.

No failing on the part of the Expert- the issue resolved itself while troubleshooting, reason it resolved unknown.