PC Forms: Message Displayed in Compose Form

• Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer, version 1.0, running with Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, version 3.0 or 3.2

SYMPTOMS

When you read a message created using a version 1.0 Microsoft Electronic Forms Designer custom form, the message may be displayed in the Compose form, rather than the Read form.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because of a limitation in simple Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI). The MAPISaveMail() function ignores the MAPI_SENT flag, starting this chain of events:

1. The message is opened and the header has MAPI_SENT set (gMessage.Flags = MAPI_SENT).

2. The message is deleted from the message list (underneath).

3. When Mail tries to save the open message to its original Message ID, it fails because the ID has been deleted.

4. The form attempts to save again, using the same header and an empty message ID (to save a "new" message).

5. The MAPISaveMail() function ignores the MAPI_SENT bit and saves the message as a new/unsent message.

6. When the message is reopened, the form processes an Open command on a new/unsent message, and concludes that the message should display the Compose form.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this problem, close all open instances of E-forms before you delete mail from Microsoft Mail for Windows.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in simple MAPI from versions 3.0 and 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.