XCLN: Err Msg: The Set of Folders Could Not Be Opened

• Microsoft Exchange Windows 95 client, versions 4.0 and 5.0
• Microsoft Exchange Windows 3.x client, versions 4.0 and 5.0
• Microsoft Exchange Windows NT client, versions 4.0 and 5.0
• Microsoft Exchange Macintosh client, versions 4.0 and 5.0

SUMMARY

When you start the Microsoft Exchange client with a new profile in offline mode for the first time, the following error message appears:

   The set of folders could not be opened. You must connect to your
   Microsoft Exchange Server computer with the current profile before you
   can synchronize your folders with your offline folder file.

The offline folder file (.OST) must be fully synchronized with the computer running Microsoft Exchange Server in online mode before it can be used offline.

CAUSE

This occurs when you use the Inbox Setup Wizard to create a profile and answer Yes to the Microsoft Exchange Server service question "Do you travel with this computer?" The result is that a default offline folder file is created in the system directory (that is, C:\WINDOWS\ EXCHANGE.OST for Windows or SYSTEM FOLDER, PREFERENCES, EXCHANGE PROFILES, OFFLINE FOLDERS for Macintosh operating systems) and the option "Choose the connection type when starting" is selected.

When you start the Microsoft Exchange client using this profile, you are presented with the choice to connect or work offline. If you choose to work offline, and you have not yet synchronized the .OST file, the error message appears.

WORKAROUND

To resolve this problem:

1. Start the Microsoft Exchange client using this profile and connect in online mode to the computer running Microsoft Exchange Server by one of the following methods:

       - For both Windows and Macintosh users: Use the client on a computer
         that is connected to the computer running Microsoft Exchange Server
         by a LAN.
   

       -OR-
   

       - For Windows users only: Establish a dial-up connection to the
         computer running Microsoft Exchange Server prior to starting the
         Microsoft Exchange client.
   

2. On the Tools menu, click Synchronize and click All Folders. Allow the synchronization of all folders to complete before proceding.

3. Exit and log off and restart the Microsoft Exchange client in offline mode.