XWEB: Err Msg: Failed to Connect to Microsoft Exchange Server

• Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 5.0, 5.5
• Microsoft Outlook Web Access, version 5.5

SYMPTOMS

When you are attempting to log on to a Microsoft Exchange Server computer using Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA), you may receive the following error message:

   Failed to connect to the Microsoft Exchange Server, <servername>.

CAUSE

This error can be caused by incorrect permissions being set on the Winnt directory or all of its sub-directories or both. Additionally, incorrect permissions on the Exchsrvr\Webdata directory and all of its sub- directories, or incorrect permissions on the Exchsrvr\Webtemp directory and all of its sub-directories may cause the error to occur.

WORKAROUND

If you are using Exchange Server version 5.0, the Winnt directory and all of its subdirectories must have Change permissions set on them for the Domain Users group. The Winnt\System32 directory must have at least Read permissions set for the Domain Users group.

When you use Microsoft Exchange Active Server Components to access information on a computer running Microsoft Exchange Server, files with an .mmp extension are created in your Winnt directory by default.

The .mmp file is a temporary file used by Active Messaging to store certain profile information during the active session. This file should be deleted after the user logs off and the session is closed.

Because these files must be created dynamically, the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) Anonymous Logon account (IUSR_Server by default) needs to have Change permissions on the Winnt directory. Refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q166599, "XWEB: .MMP File Created by MS Exchange Active Server," for an optional workaround to having Change permissions on the Winnt directory.

If you are using Exchange Server version 5.0 Service Pack 1 or later, verify that the Winnt directory and all of its sub-directories have at least Read permissions set on them for the Domain Users group. Verify that the Winnt\System32 directory has at least Read permissions set for the Domain User group.

If you are using Exchange Server version 5.5 or later, no special permissions have to be set on the Winnt directory.

You may need to change the permissions on the Exchsrvr\Webdata directory and all of its sub-directories to Read. Verify also that the Exchsrvr\Webtemp directory and all of its sub-directories are set to Change.

Keywords          : XWEB kbusage
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.5
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb