XCON: cc:Mail Connector NDRs Messages with Unknown Date Format

• Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 5.0, 5.5

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you use Import.exe 5.15, all messages you send to cc:Mail post offices generate the following non-delivery report (NDR):

   Your message was not delivered to all recipients
   The cause of the failure(s) is listed below
        ***  Unknown Date Format  ***

   Event ID: 63

   Lotus cc:Mail IMPORT from file *.ccm returned result code 5.
   Undeliverable message or updates.

CAUSE

The Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail creates *.ccm files for Import.exe to send to the cc:Mail post office. Import.exe 5.15 picks its date format from the locale set in Windows NT. If there is a mismatch between the date in the *.ccm file and the date format used by Import.exe, the above error message will be generated.

When the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail detects the Unknown Date Format non-delivery report, it makes one attempt to correct this by forcing the *.ccm file into US date format. If the Windows NT locale is using a US date format, then the problem will be resolved and subsequent messages should not fail. However, if the Windows NT locale is using a non- US date format, then forcing the *.ccm files into US date format will not resolve the problem, and all messages will continue to fail.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server versions 5.0 and 5.5. 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 Technical Support for more information. Import.exe is provided by Lotus Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

MORE INFORMATION

This problem only applies when you are using version 5.12-5.15 of Import.exe. It does not apply to Import.exe version 6, because the cc:Mail connector uses a different method to set the date format.

The Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail initially generates the *.ccm files for Import.exe with the date format defined by the Post Office Language on the Post Office page of the Connector for cc:Mail. Import.exe uses the date format defined by the Windows NT locale. If the *.ccm file date format does not match the Import.exe format, an Unknown Date Format NDR is generated.

The Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus cc:Mail attempts to resolve this by setting the Locale Date Format registry parameter to 1 (Force US *.ccm date format):

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
      System
         CurrentControlSet
            Services
               MSExchangeCCMC
                  Parameters

This will resolve the problem if Import.exe is using US date format. However, if Import.exe is using a non US date format, there will still be a mismatch and messages will not be delivered. This can occur if the Windows NT locale is a non US date format.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, apply the hotfix described above. This allows two additional settings for Locale Date Format:

Locale Date Format 2 --> Force European *.ccm date format (dd/mm/yy) Locale Date Format 3 --> Force Japanese *.ccm date format (yy/mm/dd)

By manually editing the Locale Date Format, you can force the *.ccm file date format to match the Windows NT date format. As above, after the service detects that the Locale Date Format is non zero, it will never be changed again.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe or Regedit.exe as appropriate for your version of Windows NT).

2. Modify the setting of the registry value:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeCCMC

         \Parameters\Locale Date Format
   

   to match the date format of Windows NT.

   NOTE: The above registry value is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.