PC DOS: MS-DOS Mail Client Can Misdirect Mail (116436)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks 3.0, when used with:
    • the operating system: MS-DOS
  • Microsoft Mail for PC Networks 3.2, when used with:
    • the operating system: MS-DOS
This article was previously published under Q116436

SYMPTOMS

Mail sent from the MS-DOS client may be misdirected mail if a mail message is composed but is not sent until after a rebuild of the global address list (GAL) is completed.

CAUSE

The global address list (GAL) contains unique tuple identifiers (TIDs) for local users as well as users external to the postoffice. When the GAL is rebuilt, new users are added whose names may occur alphabetically before the user to whom the message was addressed in the MS-DOS client. When this happens, the addressee essentially is "moved down" in the list and is assigned a new TID.

However, this TID value is used to retrieve the name from the GALNETPO.GLB file. The GALNETPO.GLB contains the name and external mailbag reference of the addressee. If the name associated with the TID value is different from that in the message composed in the MS-DOS client, mail will be delivered to the user associated with that TID value.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in versions 3.0 and 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, MS-DOS workstation. This problem was corrected in version 3.2.4 of REBUILD.EXE. If you do not have version 3.2.4 (or later), you can download REBUPD.EXE, a self-extracting file, on the following services:
  • Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet

    On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
    Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
    Enter kbfile REBUPD.EXE, and click GO!
    Open the article, and click the button to download the file.

  • Internet (anonymous FTP)

    ftp ftp.microsoft.com
    Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
    Get REBUPD.EXE

  • The Microsoft Network

    On the Edit menu, click Go To, and then click Other Location.
    Type mssupport.
    Double-click the MS Software Library icon.
    Find the appropriate product area.
    Locate and Download REBUPD.EXE.

For additional information about downloading, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

MORE INFORMATION

You should replace all 3.2 versions of the Rebuild program with version 3.2.4 (or later).

If you have Mail 3.0 or 3.0b, you cannot run Rebuild 3.2.4 with directory synchronization (Dir-Sync); you should upgrade to Mail 3.2 or follow the suggestions given on page 193 of the Mail 3.2 "Administrator's Guide":

IMPORTANT: Perform manual synchronization only when users are not actively using the mail system.

You should ensure that all users all logged off the mail system before you performing Dir-Sync.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/20/2000
Keywords:KB116436
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.