DOCUMENT:Q155814  19-DEC-1999  [exchange]
TITLE   :XFOR: Error 2186: Service is not Responding to Control Function
PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange
PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
OPER/SYS:
KEYWORDS:kbusage exc4 exc5 exc55

======================================================================
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

The Microsoft Exchange Server version 4.0 Internet Mail Connector (IMC) service
and the Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.0 Internet Mail Service (IMS) does
not start automatically and the following event is logged in the Windows NT
Server Event Viewer System log:

   Event ID:7000
   Source: Service Control Manager
   Category: <none>
   Description:. The Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Connector service failed to
   start due to the following error: The service did not respond to the start or
   control request in a timely fashion.

The following event is logged in the Application log:

   Event ID 4086
   Source MSExchange IMC
   Category: Initialization/Termination
   Description: Unable to start the service because the configuration could not
   be loaded from the Microsoft Exchange directory or Windows NT Registry.

If you try to start the service manually, a message window will pop up stating:

   Error 2186: The service is not responding to the control function.

CAUSE
=====

The IMC or the IMS has been set to log on as a system account or use the
LocalSystem account.

RESOLUTION
==========

1. Using the Services tool in Control Panel, select the Microsoft Exchange
   Internet Mail service and click Startup.

2. Under Log On As, select This Account. Select the name of the Microsoft
   Exchange System Account or an account that has service account administrator
   rights on the Organization, Site, and Configuration containers.

Additional query words: IMC IMS

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbusage exc4 exc5 exc55 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Issue type        : kbprb

=============================================================================

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 1999.