DOCUMENT:Q167194 05-MAY-1999 [exchange] TITLE :XADM: Could Not Modify the DL Membership of Object PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange PROD/VER:WinNT:4.0,5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbusage ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you attempt to import recipients from a previously exported CSV file, the following error may be logged in the event log for 1 or more recipients: Event ID: 284 Source: MSExchangeDSImp Description: Could not modify the DL membership of object <> because the directory service reported the following error: Changes cannot be written to this directory object. Try connecting to a Microsoft Exchange Server computer in the same site as this object. CAUSE ===== The above error occurs if you attempt to import a mailbox or custom recipient that includes a "Member of" attribute that points to a distribution list from a different site. The recipient gets created but import cannot add the recipient to the membership list for the given DL. This is because an object that does not belong to the directory on the local site cannot be directly written to. This situation is common when you are using an exported list of users from a particular site. When you do this, the "Members" attribute is also exported. This attribute contains the distinguished name (DN) for any distribution list the recipient is a member of, including distribution lists (DLs) from external sites. As stated above, the local import function cannot modify attributes from external sites, so the function fails. WORKAROUND ========== To work around this problem, do one of the following: - Manually add the users to the DLs through the external site, -OR- - Create a new import file to add the users to the DL membership. ====================================================================== Keywords : kbusage Technology : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2 Version : WinNT:4.0,5.0 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.