DOCUMENT:Q187780 18-MAY-2001 [exchange] TITLE :XADM: Exception Error 0XC0000009A with POP3 or SMTP Usage PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange PROD/VER:WINDOWS:5.5; WINNT:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.5 - the operating system: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== - When you are running Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 on Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 3, you receive an exception error when a heavy load is placed on the local directory. - When POP3 clients or SMTP clients initialize sessions with their Microsoft Exchange directory, an exception is generated, stating: The exception unknown software exception (0XC0000009A) occurred in the application at the location 0x77f88C01. Click OK to terminate application. - If you try to stop the Exchange services, the computer stops responding (hangs). You must restart your computer to regain control. On a computer with the SMTP or POP3 user capability that is in the process of high user load, the system produces the exception mentioned previously. CAUSE ===== A Max File Handle Limitation has been reached on this computer. The registry settings at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CurrentControlSet/Services/SMTPSRV/Parameters for the following: - Cache entry # - Cache table - TTL are insufficient to handle the load. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Windows NT 4.0 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces): S E R V P A C K MORE INFORMATION ================ The SMTPSRV key of the registry is only present when Internet Information Server version 3.0 or 4.0 is installed. ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTSsearch kbExchangeSearch kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2 Version : WINDOWS:5.5; WINNT:4.0 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.