DOCUMENT:Q154337 21-JUL-2000 [exchange] TITLE :XCON: MTA Fails to Start with 9405 Error Message PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange PROD/VER:winnt:4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,5.0,5.0 SP1,5.0 SP2,5.5,5.5 SP1,5.5 S OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbusage ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 5.0 SP1, 5.0 SP2, 5.5, 5.5 SP1, 5.5 SP2, 5.5 SP3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== The Microsoft Exchange message transfer agent (MTA) fails to start. The following error message appears in the event log. Error 9405 Source: MSExchangeMTA Field Engineering Description: An unexpected error has occurred which may cause the MTA to terminate Error: Base-MS Not initialised-Error=3909, Parm1=0,Parm2=0 [BASE MAIN BASE 1] (16). Event id: 9405 Description: An unexpected error has occurred which may cause the MTA to terminate Error: Fatal severity error - 3909 {BASE MAIN BASE 1] (16). When you attempt to run MTAcheck.exe from the Exchsrvr\bin subdirectory, the same error is reported. Base-MS Not initialised-Error=3909,Parm1=0,Parm2=0 Fatal severity error - 3909. MORE INFORMATION ================ When the Microsoft Exchange MTA initializes it checks all the files in the \Exchsrvr\Mtadata subdirectory. The error message is reported when the files required to initialize the MTA are missing or corrupted. 3909 means "NO BASE RECORD IN SCT". These files can be sct.inp or .tpl files or other files in the Mtadata subdirectory (except the .dat files). RESOLUTION ========== Replace the corrupted files from the Microsoft Exchange compact disc. It is safe to copy all the files to the MTADATA subdirectory except the .dat files. The files can be copied from the Exchange compact disc from the \Setup\I386\Mtadata subdirectory, OR from the Exchsrvr\Mtadata subdirectory of another server with a functional MTA. If you replace these files from a compact disc, remove the read-only attributes from the files. In any event, whether copying these files from a compact disc or from another Exchange server, the versions (service packs and/or MTA hotfixes) must match. Additional query words: SP2 mta crash down server ====================================================================== Keywords : kbusage Technology : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2 kbExchange500SP1 kbExchange500SP2 kbExchange400SP1 kbExchange400SP2 kbExchange400SP3 kbExchange400SP4 kbExchange400SP5 kbExchange550SP1 kbExchange550SP2 kbExchange550SP3 Version : winnt:4.0,4.0 SP1,4.0 SP2,4.0 SP3,4.0 SP4,4.0 SP5,5.0,5.0 SP1,5.0 SP2,5.5,5.5 SP1,5.5 SP2,5.5 SP3 ============================================================================= 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 2000.