free/busy data not shown

Thanks for the suggestion, but tried it, made no difference.

cheers,

OK, I have found that if I disable Outlook cached mode, I can now see the free/busy information. I am hoping there is a workaround or fix for this, as I'd like to be able to use cached mode.

Still need an answer on this. Is it related to cached mode ?

tech,

I reread you initial comments.  If the users were set up in cached mode they should have received mail in the mailstore and a local file called an OST (as opposed to a PST).  The OST and the mailstore would sync when the user is connected to the mail system.

When you have the user in cached mode and you are checking the free/busy info, from where are you checking.  I mean specifically are you in userA's mailbox, then you go to calendar and create an event or meeting and in there you are missing the free busy info?  Or are you looking at userB's free/busy info from userA's calendar so you can determine if he is available for meeting?  Basically I need some additional details.

Thanks
Chace

In my testing I have only added a few users to use Exchange mailboxes. I can see my own Free Busy data, but when I look at one of the other users to see if they are free for a meeting, I get the No Info Available.

A couple of things come to mind initially.  If you aren't on the latest service pack and updates for exchange 2k3 you should run those updates.  Also in order to get the free/busy info into the information store initially, you need to log into each mailbox.  For example you need to open userA, B and C's mailbox.  This will cause the RUS (Recipient Update Service) to run and set a pile of default things on the mailboxes.  

I don't recall if you need to open the mailboxes as the user or if you can open them as an admin.  I would suggest trying as the admin first then try as the individuals if necessary.

Open the mailboxes and give it 30 minutes to update and let me know.  Where we stand after that.

Thanks
Chace

I have setup a new user and logged them into their mailbox as themselves. (was not sure how to do it as admin). I can send and receive mail OK, but I cannot see their free/busy data when I open a new appointment and look to see if they are free.
Will free/busy data show up if the user has e-mail being delivered to a PST and not their mailbox? (the users e-mail is going to the mailbox, but I thought i'd ask anyways)

tech,

Take a look at the links below.  I have resolved similar issues with this info.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822444
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/284200/en-us

I am not sure about the free/busy with the PST delivery

Thanks
Chace

Tried the reset system folders.
Opened the ADSI Edit snap-in in MMC.
Browsed to the Exchange server.
Cannot find the following object:
CN=AdministrativeGroup,CN=Administrative Groups,CN=Organization,CN=Microsoft Exchange,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=Domain,DC=com

I can see my own free/busy data in the appointment scheduler, one user shows up as simply blank with no appointments (even though they exist) and one user shows as no info available. Is that indicative of anything?

I am not sure why you don't see the CN=AdministrativeGroup,CN=Administrative Groups,CN=Organization,CN=Microsoft Exchange,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=Domain,DC=com
 in ADSIEdit.

You may want to step back through the tool, it is Expand Configuration Container [Computer.Domain.com], expand CN=Configuration, DC=Domain,DC=com, expand CN=Services, expand CN=Microsoft Exchange, expand CN=Organization, and then expand CN=Administrative Groups.

Double check that the value does exist but for now let's not reset the guid.  

Instead I have listed two links the first give you a nice break down of the path that is taken when the free busy is updated.  The second is problem that occurs occasionally with the LegacyExchangeDN.  

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa996946(EXCHG.65).aspx
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=286783

Ultimately I think it is tied to the LegacyExchangeDN.  Ether the container is set incorrectly as described in the second article.

I have cleaned this up a time or two using a similar process to the following link as well.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/22048199/Free-Busy-Information-does-not-show-up-for-other-users.html?sfQueryTermInfo=1+busi+free+legacyexchangedn

You may need to use these links as road maps to get you to the final answer.  Let me know if you have questions or concerns.

Thanks
Chace

It seems to be working now for my test users. I simply forced an update of the free/busy folder by starting Outlook with the /cleanfreebusy switch.

thanks for all your help.

I am glad to hear it is working but I thought that was the first thing we tried.  Did something change between then and now?

Thanks
Chace

There was a user that had her Outlook profile in a bad state. The update of free busy did not work for her. I tried it with a new user in Exchange and it worked.