An e-mail message remains in the local SMTP queue when the first SMTP connection fails in Exchange Server 2003 (836833)

SYMPTOMS

When you try to send an e-mail message through the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) service on a server that is running Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, the SMTP service may try to connect to the remote server whose IP address is included in the lowest-cost mail exchanger (MX) resource record. If the connection to the remote server fails, the SMTP service tries to connect to another remote server whose IP address in included in a higher cost MX resource record. However, if the remote SMTP server responds with a "220 Service is ready" message, the SMTP service on the local server sends a Quit command to close the connection.

When this problem occurs, the message remains in the local SMTP queue in a Retry state. Then, the SMTP service tries to resend the message. However, the same problem occurs again. Therefore, the message remains in the local SMTP queue.

Note This issue occurs when Exchange Server 2003 is running on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the SMTP service after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, 32-bit editions (x86)

   Date          Time    Version        Size      File name
   ----------------------------------------------------------
   04-Mar-2004   09:03   6.0.3790.137   456,704   Smtpsvc.dll

Windows Server 2003, 64-bit editions (IA-64)

   Date          Time    Version        Size        File name
   -------------------------------------------------------------------
   04-Mar-2004   01:38   6.0.3790.137   1,174,528   Smtpsvc.dll   IA-64