XCON: Content Conversion Fails When MDBEF Formatting Disabled

  Microsoft Exchange Server, version 4.0 SP4 with post SP4 MTA
  Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.0 SP1 with post SP1 MTA

SYMPTOMS

The Microsoft Exchange message transfer agent (MTA) may fail to deliver messages across an X.400 connector when MDBEF message transfer has been disabled. Content conversion errors will be logged in the Exchange Server computer's event log, and users will receive non-delivery reports (NDRs).

This problem will only occur with specific builds of the MTA when messages are sent over an X.400 Connector that is using metamorf conversion with MDBEF turned off. MDBEF is turned off by selecting the X.400 Connector's Advanced tab and clearing the check box for "Allow MS Exchange contents".

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange MTA builds 996.31 and 996.32 for Exchange Server version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange MTA builds 1459.17, 1459.18, 1459.19, 1459.20, 1459.21, 1459.22, and 1459.23 for Exchange Server version 5.0. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.0. 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

MORE INFORMATION

Users who encounter this problem will receive NDRs from the system administrator with messages similar to the following:

Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.

      Subject:Test Message
      Sent:8/1/97 2:02:00 PM

      John Doe on 8/1/97 2:02:10 PM
            The message contains a content type that is not supported
            MSEXCH:MSExchangeMTA:CPRWA:MARIAH

-or-

      Subject:Test Message
      Sent:8/1/97 11:36:37 AM

      Kitty on 8/1/97 11:33:28 AM
            A syntax error was detected in the content of the message
            MSEXCH:MSExchangeMTA:Guitars:BRASS_KITTEN

   Event ID:210
   Source:MSExchangeMTA
   Type:Warning
   Category:X.400 Service
   Description:
   An internal MTA error occurred. Content conversion for message C=US;A=
   ;P=Microsoft;L=BRASS_KITTEN-970801221402Z-9376 failed. Conversion error:
   4096, Object at fault: 0600003B, Original content type: 56010A01, New
   content type: 2A864886F7140501. PDU dump reference 4 [MTA DISP:FANOUT 16
   112] (14)

Keywords          : kbbug5.00 kbfix5.00.sp2 XCON kbusage
Version           : WinNT:4.0,5.0
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix