Deleting / Re-creating User Account with Exchange Mailbox
I have a user that cannot send or receive external e-mail but can for internal e-mail. The environment is Microsoft Exchange 2003 on Windows Server 2003. There is only one server running Exchange. Nobody else is having this problem. Here is my question:
I want to delete and re-create the user account. What happens to his mailbox?
What is the best way to backup and restore the mailbox?
Thank you for your help!
Dan
I want to delete and re-create the user account. What happens to his mailbox?
What is the best way to backup and restore the mailbox?
Thank you for your help!
Dan
The mailbox would be orphaned. You can reattach the mailbox after you recreate the user account.
ASKER
Thanks! Should I make sure not to create a new mailbox when I re-create the user account?
Correct. Just create a new account. Then reattach the mailbox to that account.
aindelicato is correct. However be aware that in 2003, actions such as this can take some time to complete. If you are on a tight schedule, you might find yourself sitting around while it does so. What you don't want to happen is that when you go to create the user again, it tells you they already exist, even if they are no longer in the list.
It might be better to create a completely fresh AD account for the user, with a slightly appended name, e.g. fred.bloggs1, disconnect the old mailbox, then attach it to the new user account (remembering to disable the old account).
Manually check that all settings in the properties of the new user (email addresses, log on name, account name etc) are correct.
This may work for you - it may not. If it doesn't, the problem is clearly with the mailbox.
However - before you do all this - what actually happens when this user attempts to send external email? It may just be a setting...
It might be better to create a completely fresh AD account for the user, with a slightly appended name, e.g. fred.bloggs1, disconnect the old mailbox, then attach it to the new user account (remembering to disable the old account).
Manually check that all settings in the properties of the new user (email addresses, log on name, account name etc) are correct.
This may work for you - it may not. If it doesn't, the problem is clearly with the mailbox.
However - before you do all this - what actually happens when this user attempts to send external email? It may just be a setting...
ASKER
Nothing happens, no NDRs are reported at all. The SMTP queue is clear. Is there a permission that effects external mail somewhere that I should check?
Take a backup of the mails in PST. Remove the mailbox and then recreate it.
Or only remove the mailbox and recreate it.
Or only remove the mailbox and recreate it.
Well, I'd first check in the properties of the user that their email address is correct.
Next, check that no policies are defined to restrict sending or receiving for particular users. See this article for more info: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924635
As R-R says, you can't be too careful, so if you do end up disconnecting and reconnecting the mailbox, maybe do a .pst as well. Or, as they say, make an entirely new user (with mailbox), log on as them, and bring in the .pst. The best way I've found of doing that is to add it as an additional one, then when showing and expanded in Outlook, copy mail folder by folder back into the Exchange mailbox.
Next, check that no policies are defined to restrict sending or receiving for particular users. See this article for more info: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924635
As R-R says, you can't be too careful, so if you do end up disconnecting and reconnecting the mailbox, maybe do a .pst as well. Or, as they say, make an entirely new user (with mailbox), log on as them, and bring in the .pst. The best way I've found of doing that is to add it as an additional one, then when showing and expanded in Outlook, copy mail folder by folder back into the Exchange mailbox.
ASKER
Thanks for the help, I will back up the e-mails first as a CYA standard, then I will recreate the mailbox and report back once finished..
ASKER
Okay here are some of the things I tried with no luck:
1. Disconnect and reconnect user's mailbox
2. Delete user mailbox, and create new mailbox from scratch
3. Disable and re-enable user account
I used telnet to port 25 and was able to send a message on the user's behalf to myself but he is still not receiving external e-mail.
I guess the only thing left at this point is to delete and create a whole new user account, unless anyone has any other suggestions..
1. Disconnect and reconnect user's mailbox
2. Delete user mailbox, and create new mailbox from scratch
3. Disable and re-enable user account
I used telnet to port 25 and was able to send a message on the user's behalf to myself but he is still not receiving external e-mail.
I guess the only thing left at this point is to delete and create a whole new user account, unless anyone has any other suggestions..
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ASKER
I investigated and saw in the SMTP logs that a lot of e-mail was being sent to a SPAM filter which was housed at their ISP. I had their ISP remove the filter MX record and now e-mail is being received.