PC Ext: IMPORT.EXE Autocreate Fails if EXTERNAL.EXE Running

• Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.0 and 3.2

SYMPTOMS

With versions 3.0 and 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, running IMPORT.EXE with the autocreate option turned on, can fail against a postoffice with EXTERNAL.EXE running against it in high mail traffic situations. IMPORT.EXE reports:

   Fatal [59] Error autocreating postoffice: XXXXXXXXXX

CAUSE

EXTERNAL.EXE opens the *.XTN files as "Read-Share Deny Write" while IMPORT.EXE is trying to write to them. Under normal circumstances, EXTERNAL.EXE keeps an .XTN file open for a very short interval, so the problem is avoided.

WORKAROUND

Try increasing the IntervalRegular time (or -n<time>) parameter on EXTERNAL.EXE so that it checks the postoffice and locks the XTN files less frequently.

The autocreate IMPORT.EXE problem is less likely with low mail traffic postoffices because the EXTERNAL.EXE program is not delivering as many messages and requires shorter periods of access to XTN files.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in versions 3.0 and 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks. This problem was corrected in EXTERNAL.EXE version 3.2.8. If you do not have version 3.2.8 (or later), you can download EXTUPD.EXE, a self-extracting file, on the following services:

• Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet

        On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
        Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
        Enter kbfile EXTUPD.EXE (size: 531665 bytes) 
                               , and click GO!
        Open the article, and click the button to download the file.
  
  

• Internet (anonymous FTP)

        ftp ftp.microsoft.com
        Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
        Get EXTUPD.EXE (size: 531665 bytes) 
  

• The Microsoft Network

        On the Edit menu, click Go To, and then click Other Location.
        Type "mssupport" (without the quotation marks).
        Double-click the MS Software Library icon.
        Find the appropriate product area.
        Locate and Download EXTUPD.EXE.
  

• Microsoft Partner Network (MSPN)

        On MSPN Desktop, double-click the Software Library icon.
        Search for EXTUPD.EXE.
        Display results and download.
  

• Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)

        Dial (206) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL
        Download EXTUPD.EXE (size: 531665 bytes) 
  

   ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
   TITLE     : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online
               Services