XADM: Folder(s) Missing After Using Move Mailbox Command

Last reviewed: August 28, 1997
Article ID: Q166601

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0 and 5.0

SYMPTOMS

The Move Mailbox command in the Microsoft Exchange Administrator program is used to move a mailbox from one server in a Microsoft Exchange Server site to another server in the same site. After using this command, the user may log on to the mailbox on the new server and find one or more folders and their contents missing.

MORE INFORMATION

Each Microsoft Exchange mailbox contains the following default system folders: Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items, and Deleted Items. The problem mentioned in the Symptoms section will occur if one of these default system folders has been renamed and a new folder created with that default name. After moving the mailbox, the renamed folder and its contents will not appear in the mailbox.

For example, the problem will occur if the server-based system folder "Inbox" is renamed "My Inbox" and a new folder called "Inbox" is created. "My Inbox" will remain a system folder and all new mail will be delivered to it.

After using the Move Mailbox command, the default system folder will be renamed "Inbox" and will contain the mail from the non-system "Inbox" folder. The "My Inbox" folder and its contents will not be in the mailbox.

This only occurs when the server-based folder is renamed and another folder exists with the default name of the server-based folder. For example, if "Inbox" is renamed "My Inbox" and there is no other folder named "Inbox," the contents of "My Inbox" will exist on the new server in the "Inbox" folder after the Move Mailbox Command has been executed.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0 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

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 4.0. We are researching the problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

WORKAROUND

To avoid this problem, rename the non-system folder and then rename the system folder to its original name before using the Move Mailbox Command.

If you have already used the Move Mailbox Command, the folder and its contents will need to be recovered from the last full backup. For additional information about recovering a single mailbox, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163713
   TITLE     : INF: XADM: Recovering a Single Mailbox from the Online
               Backup

After the single folder has been restored to a PST, it can be manually moved back up to the server.

Keywords          : kbbug kbbug5.00 kbfix5.00.sp1 XADM kbusage
Version           : 4.0 5.0
Platform          : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: August 28, 1997
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