XWEB: Error Message: Failed to Get Inbox

 Last reviewed: December 31, 1997
Article ID: Q165987

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.0
  • Microsoft Internet Information Server, version 3.0

SYMPTOMS

When you try to access a mailbox on a computer running Microsoft Exchange Server using the Exchange Active Server Components, you may receive the following error upon trying to log on: 

   Failed to get Inbox.

CAUSE

This error is caused by an account permissions problem for the mailbox you are trying to access. Verify that the Windows NT account you are signed in as has permission to the Exchange Server mailbox you are trying to access.

This error typically occurs when you are using Window NT Challenge\Response Authentication (also referred to as NTLM) to access Internet Information Server.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem:

  • Use only basic (clear text) authentication. You will be asked for user credentials every time you log on to your mailbox using a Web browser. If a higher level of security is needed, configure Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to this computer running Internet Information Server. For extra security, use basic (clear text) authentication over the secure connection provided by SSL.

MORE INFORMATION

This error typically occurs when you are using Window NT Challenge\Response Authentication (also referred to as NTLM) to access Internet Information Server. Below is an example of the expected behavior you should see when using Internet Explorer (IE), Exchange Active Server Components, and NTLM authentication.

NOTE: Currently Netscape Navigator 2.0 and 3.0 do not support NTLM authentication.

Configuration:

  • IIS\Exchange Machine domain: DomainA
  • Exchange Mailbox: User1
  • Exchange Mailbox Primary NT account: DomainA\User1
  • Windows NT Challenge\Response authentication enabled for IIS

Scenario:

  1. Logged on to the computer running Internet Explorer as DomainA\User1 trying to access Mailbox User1.
  • With IE 3.0, you should be logged on to the mailbox normally.
  • With IE 3.01, you should be logged on to the mailbox normally.

    1. Logged onto the computer running Internet Explorer as DomainA\User2 trying to access Mailbox User1.
  • With IE 3.0, you will receive the "Failed to get Inbox" error message.
  • With IE 3.01, you will receive the "Failed to get Inbox" error message.

    1. Logged on to the computer running Internet Explorer as DomainB\UserX (where UserX is any account) trying to access Mailbox User1.
  • With IE 3.0, you will receive the "Failed to get Inbox" error message.
  • With IE 3.01, you will receive be prompted to enter user name and password. Entering DomainA\User1 for the user name and the correct password should allow access to the mailbox.

    • Additional query words: Kluane
    Keywords : kbtshoot kbusage
    Version : winnt:5.0
    Platform : winnt

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    Last reviewed: December 31, 1997
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