XFOR: Internet Mail Service Sends MIME Plain Text as Both HTML and Plain Text

ID: Q222508

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.5

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you send plain text from an Outlook client that has an Exchange Server as the backend with the Internet Mail Service configured to send plain text or HTML, the Internet Mail Service overrides the user's choice, and sends both plain text and HTML. When MCI Mail or other plain text mail readers receive a message as MIME/multipart/alternative, the recipient gets one e-mail message with plain text at the top followed by the same message embedded in HTML tags.

CAUSE

The Internet Mail Service doesn't get the sender's option in the message. As a result it, sends both the plain text and the HTML.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:

Component: Internet Mail Service

File name	Version
Gapi32.dll	5.5.2571.0
Imcmsg.dll	5.5.2571.0
Mdbmsg.dll	5.5.2571.0
Msexcimc.exe	5.5.2571.0
Store.exe	5.5.2571.0

This hotfix has been posted to the following Internet location as Psp2imca.zip and Psp2imci.zip:

ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/exchange/exchange-public/fixes/Eng/Exchg5.5/PostSP2/imc-fix

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5.

Additional query words:


Keywords          : 
Version           : winnt:5.5
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: August 2, 1999