DOCUMENT:Q238189 08-MAY-2002 [exchange] TITLE :XCON: Duplicate Messages Delivered After MTA Restart PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange PROD/VER:winnt:5.5 SP2 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:exc55sp2 ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.5 SP2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When the message transfer agent (MTA) is under heavy stress, Db*.dat files are sometimes not cleaned up properly. In some cases, these files are also not marked as "used." When the MTA is restarted, the queues are rebuilt based on all of the Db*.dat files that are "not used" in the Mtadata folder. Because these files have not been cleaned up or marked as delivered, restarting the MTA in this state produces duplicate mail to the local store. In addition, when the MTA is in this state it cannot be shut down cleanly. Consequently, either killing the MTA or hard-booting the server are the only options to bring it down. CAUSE ===== Viewing the Performance Monitor counter MSExchangeMTA, with the instance Work Queue Length, reveals a steady increase but no message backlog in any other queue. This is a result of the Db*.dat files not being marked as "used." RESOLUTION ========== A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing at a later time, to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this 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 about support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question. The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: Component: Message Transfer Agent +---------------------------+ | File name | Version | +---------------------------+ | Dbserver.sch | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Dcprods.cat | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Ems_rid.dll | 5.5.2621.0 | +---------------------------+ | Emsmta.exe | 5.5.2621.0 | +---------------------------+ | Info4log.cfg | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Infoblog.cfg | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Infodlog.cfg | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Infollog.cfg | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Infoplog.cfg | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Infotlog.cfg | N/A | +---------------------------+ | Mtacheck.exe | 5.5.2621.0 | +---------------------------+ | Mtamsg.dll | 5.5.2621.0 | +---------------------------+ | P2.xv2 | N/A | +---------------------------+ | X400om.dll | 5.5.2621.0 | +---------------------------+ | X400omv1.dll | 5.5.2621.0 | +---------------------------+ STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5. Additional query words: ====================================================================== Keywords : exc55sp2 Technology : kbExchangeSearch kbZNotKeyword2 kbExchange550SP2 Version : winnt:5.5 SP2 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 2002.