XADM: Calling HRBackupGetDatabaseNames Returns Invalid Parameter

• Microsoft Exchange Server, version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

After installing Microsoft Exchange Server Service Pack 3 (SP3), using the HRBackupGetDatabaseNames call from the Microsoft Exchange Software Developers Kit (SDK) may stop with the following error message:

   Return Code: 0x57 - invalid parameter

CAUSE

A new version of Edbbcli.dll was included in Service Pack 3 to fix a problem when using Windows NT4.0 to remotely backup a computer that is running both Microsoft Exchange Server and Windows NT 3.51.

Producing this fix introduced an error in the conversion of an ASCII string to uni-code. NTBackup uses uni-code directly and this error causes the call to HRBackupGetDatabaseNames to be handled incorrectly and return the "invalid parameter."

WORKAROUND

Replace the SP3 version of Edbbcli.dll in the <winntdir>\System32 directory with the version shipped in Microsoft Exchange Server Service Pack 2 or Microsoft Exchange Server version 4.0a.

RESOLUTION

Obtain the fix referenced below. Edbbcli.dll was updated to properly handle the ASCII to uni-code conversion.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange version 4.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Exchange 4.0 U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K

This problem is primarily seen by those using Cheyenne's Arcserve backup and Cheyenne's Exchange Database Agent software after applying Microsoft Exchange Server Service Pack 3.

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

REFERENCE

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