IM&T SRFT
asked on
Exchange 2003 & Outlook 2003 timeout issues
We currently have an Exchange 2003 email environment with clients running Outlook 2003. We are having issues where users are complaining that the Outlook Client hangs for between 10-30 seconds every 2 or 3 minutes.
After the 30 seconds outlook performs as it should.
We have run a series of network speed tests that haven't highlighted any network performance issues and we have fully patched the client (app, Os, Network drivers). This happens across a range of hardware manufactors
Has anyone experienced similar issues and know is there a fix or is this just a "quirk" of a Exchange/Outlook environment?
After the 30 seconds outlook performs as it should.
We have run a series of network speed tests that haven't highlighted any network performance issues and we have fully patched the client (app, Os, Network drivers). This happens across a range of hardware manufactors
Has anyone experienced similar issues and know is there a fix or is this just a "quirk" of a Exchange/Outlook environment?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Our users are not using cache mode but it still happens with or without this switched on.
Users are accessing their pst files on network shares. Some of these can be gigabyes in size - do you think this is likely to be the cause? Would increasing user's mailbox storage space and transferring the psts into it fix the issue?
Users are accessing their pst files on network shares. Some of these can be gigabyes in size - do you think this is likely to be the cause? Would increasing user's mailbox storage space and transferring the psts into it fix the issue?
ASKER
Also, are there any known issues with clustering Exchange servers or having Trend realtime scanner running on them?
I would definitly say that having multiple PST files open in Outlook or "Shared Mailboxes" will definitly slow down your Outlook. Everytime you have a PST file connected to Outlook over a network drive you are opening another connection.
You said that these are GB's in size! This would almost positive be the cause. PST files on network shares are bad practice as it can cause corruption and loss of data in the PST files. Also this will slow down your connection as it has to continutally keep the PST file connected to your Outlook session.
Try disconnecting any Shared mailboxes or PST files and see if you still encounter this issue. I have had this experience with a few users of mine. One user had 12GB PST file!
You said that these are GB's in size! This would almost positive be the cause. PST files on network shares are bad practice as it can cause corruption and loss of data in the PST files. Also this will slow down your connection as it has to continutally keep the PST file connected to your Outlook session.
Try disconnecting any Shared mailboxes or PST files and see if you still encounter this issue. I have had this experience with a few users of mine. One user had 12GB PST file!
ASKER
Thanks for your responce.
I've tried several things now and the problem is still there. It's strange that it only seems to affect certain users.
Testing done so far:
Disconnected PSTs - fault still occurs.
Moved user's mailbox to a different Exchange server - fault still occurs.
Tried different scenarios with PCs of various spec and versions of office. New users and mailboxes created and large amounts of emails copied over. Large networked PSTs created. Fault not occured in any of these situations.
Enabled outlook logging on a pc with the issue but the log file OPMLog.log doesn't capture events in detail like it should -only a few lines stating sync started and finished. Also, the file is located in %temp% instead of creating a %temp%\Outlook Logging folder and residing in there.
Still trying to figure out if it's an Exchange or client related problem?
I've tried several things now and the problem is still there. It's strange that it only seems to affect certain users.
Testing done so far:
Disconnected PSTs - fault still occurs.
Moved user's mailbox to a different Exchange server - fault still occurs.
Tried different scenarios with PCs of various spec and versions of office. New users and mailboxes created and large amounts of emails copied over. Large networked PSTs created. Fault not occured in any of these situations.
Enabled outlook logging on a pc with the issue but the log file OPMLog.log doesn't capture events in detail like it should -only a few lines stating sync started and finished. Also, the file is located in %temp% instead of creating a %temp%\Outlook Logging folder and residing in there.
Still trying to figure out if it's an Exchange or client related problem?
ASKER
This has been resolved now.
Thank you for your responses.
Thank you for your responses.
Try disabling any Add-ins in Outlook as corrupt add-ins can cause issues like this.
Also... refer to this link as it provides many related issues that might be able to help you troubleshoot in your environment.
http://social.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/tabspace/thread/f1a95519-01e0-45c0-938c-a68b0438b4bd/