XCLN: Err Msg: Rules in Error

• Microsoft Exchange Windows 3.x client, versions 4.0 and 5.0
• Microsoft Exchange Windows NT client, versions 4.0 and 5.0

SYMPTOMS

You might receive the following error message either when starting a Microsoft Exchange client or after receiving a new message that a rule attempts to process.

   Title : Rules in Error
   Rule
   Subject:xxxMOVE TO:<unavailable>
   Error:
   Failed to perform client side action

CAUSE

The Personal Folder is password protected and the proper password has not been entered. This problem can occur under two circumstances:

• Assume you quit from Microsoft Exchange and a personal folder has the focus. The next time you start Microsoft Exchange, you are prompted for the password immediately. In this case, the rule can find the folder and processes correctly.

  If, however, when you quit Microsoft Exchange, the Mailbox has focus (instead of a personal folder), the rule tries to process before knowing the password to the personal folder and the "Rules in error" message appears. Any mail messages that were to be copied to the personal folder, will instead appear in the Inbox of the Mailbox.

• You cancel a personal folder password dialog without typing the password during startup of the Microsoft Exchange client, and a message is received (at any point) that the Inbox Assistant attempts to process (copy or move) to that personal folder. Because the personal folder cannot be opened, the rule cannot be processed.

RESOLUTION

When you exit Microsoft Exchange, place focus on a personal folder (not the Mailbox).

When you start Microsoft Exchange, enter the password for (any) personal folders involved with rules processing.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in version 4.0 of the Microsoft Exchange clients for Windows 3.x and Windows NT. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.