DOCUMENT:Q252869 03-MAR-2001 [exchange] TITLE :XADM: Preventing Mail Loss When Move Mailbox Is Unsuccessful PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange PROD/VER::4.x,5.0,5.5 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:exc4 exc5 exc55 ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1, 4.0 SP2, 4.0 SP3, 4.0 SP4, 4.0 SP5, 5.0, 5.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== After you perform a Move Mailbox operation, the mailbox is displayed in the "mailbox resources" of both the source and destination servers. On the source server, the total kilobytes displayed is close to 0. On the destination server, the total kilobytes displayed is the correct amount of data. If you attempt to perform another Move Mailbox operation, the following error message is displayed: A duplicate mailbox was found due to problems during a Move Mailbox procedure. The duplicate mailbox has been deleted. Try again later. Microsoft Exchange Server Information Store ID no: c1040b00 The mailbox data on the destination server is deleted and the mail is lost. CAUSE ===== During a Move Mailbox operation the mailbox data is moved to the destination server, but the directory object is not. This results in the data being homed on the destination server and the Mailbox Directory Object being stranded on the source server. If you attempt to move the mailbox a second time, the user's mailbox information is removed from the destination server's information store. The source server also removes the mailbox data because it detects the move as being successful. At this point, the user's mailbox information is lost. WORKAROUND ========== Do not attempt a second Move Mailbox operation on the mailbox because you will lose all data. To work around the behavior, use the following steps. WARNING: Using the raw mode of the Exchange Server Administrator program (admin /r) incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Microsoft Windows NT Server and/or Microsoft Exchange Server. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of raw mode can be solved. Use raw mode at your own risk. 1. Start the Microsoft Exchange Server Administrator program in raw mode by typing the following at a command prompt: "c:\exchsrvr\bin\admin /r" (without the quotation marks) 2. Use the appropriate method: Method 1 -------- a. On the source server, locate the Recipients container and click the mailbox. b. On the File menu, click Raw Properties. c. Change the Home-MDB and Home-MTA attributes to reflect the destination server. NOTE: These names need to be in the following Distinguished Name (DN) format: /o=/ou=/cn=Configuration/cn=Servers/cn=/cn=Microsoft Private MDB /o=/ou=/cn=Configuration/cn=Servers/cn=/cn=Microsoft MTA Method 2 -------- a. On the source server, delete the server recipient for the mailbox. b. On the destination server, re-create the mailbox that you deleted on the source server and use the same Distinguished Name (DN). The user can now log on to the mailbox with no data loss. MORE INFORMATION ================ The first Move Mailbox operation did not work because during the Move Mailbox process, the Administrator program first copies the selected user's mailbox to the selected destination server (the Move Mailbox operation only works between servers in the same site). After the mailbox is successfully moved, the Move Mailbox function then issues a DS Sync command. During the synchronization process, the Administrator program passes the same source and destination server to the Move Mailbox function. As a result, the user's directory object is not moved. Additional query words: Moveuser RPC fail failed fails move user ====================================================================== Keywords : exc4 exc5 exc55 Technology : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2 kbExchange400SP1 kbExchange400SP2 kbExchange400SP3 kbExchange400SP4 kbExchange400SP5 Version : :4.x,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 2001.