The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.0, 3.2, 3.2a, 3.5
- Microsoft Mail Remote for Windows, version 3.2
SUMMARY
Periodically, asynchronous mail flow problems can arise during connection.
The procedures in this article can be helpful in troubleshooting the
problem.
MORE INFORMATION
To troubleshoot asynchronous mail flow problems:
- Ensure Mail Agents on both sides of the connection can access the modem.
At an MS-DOS prompt, type
ECHO ATDT > COM#
where # is the com port that the mail agent is configured to use.
If another MS-DOS prompt is returned, the modem is accessible to the
Mail Agent. If the error message, "Write fault error writing device
COM#," is returned, the modem is not accessible to any Mail Agent. This
must be resolved before the Mail Agents can use the modem. Often another
application will be using the modem. Look for RAS, Fax applications, or
any application that uses a modem.
- Enable logging on both sides of the connection.
a. For Microsoft Mail Remote for Windows, ensure that the System
Selector is set to Mail Remote for Windows.
b. Edit Msmail.ini in the Windows directory. Under the [SFS Remote]
section, add the following entries and save the file.
DebugLog=1
VerboseLog=1
c. Restart the client. This detailed logging information can be viewed
after the connection attempt by choosing <VIEW><SESSION LOG> in the
client. Information in this log is replaced by information from
subsequent connection attempts. To save the information, it must be
copied and pasted to another file to be saved.
d. For External.exe, add the following options to the command line:
-Q123Z -V -Lc:\logfile.txt
e. Restart External. This detailed logging information can be viewed
after the connection attempt by opening Logfile.txt. Information
in this log is appended, so all subsequent connection attempts are
written to this file. If you are using the Windows NT message
transfer agent (MTA), you can add these options to the Command-Line
Options box in the Edit Service dialog. The MTA service must be
restarted for the change to take effect.
Additional information concerning the INI equivalents for the -Qx options
can be found in Q116434 (see below).
- Determine whether there are any errors. Some typical errors are:
Time out occurred while reading data at the serial layer.
Time out occurred while writing data at the serial layer.
These errors typically point to a problem with the modem script. Verify
with the modem manufacturer that the appropriate script is being used
for the modem.
Sign-on ID or password incorrect.
Postoffice has not accepted mail item.
These errors can indicate a postoffice serial number problem. Ensure
that the <EXTERNAL ADMIN><SETUP> information in Admin.exe is correct for
the postoffice being called. Also, create a new data disk for remote
users having these problems.
- Determine line diagnostics. These appear in the log after each
connection attempt when -Q2Z is enabled. A sample listing:
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Diagnostics for connection:
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Bad STX 0
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Bad TYPE 0
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Bad SEQ 0
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Bad CRC1 0
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Bad CRC2 0
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Time-outs 0
TEST 1-1-98 12:00 Rejects 0
If any of the above diagnostic results are other than zero, this may
indicate "dirty" phone lines. Microsoft cannot guarantee asynchronous mail
flow over a connection indicating anything greater than 0 for these
diagnostics. This can also be an indication of incompatible modem and
script combination. More detailed information regarding these measurements
can be found in Microsoft Knowledge Base article Q80272 (see below).
For additional information concerning the INI equivalents for the -Qx
options, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q116434
TITLE : PC Ext: External.ini Equivalents to -Qx Command-Line Options
For additional information concerning diagnostic results other than zero,
please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q80272
TITLE : PC Ext: Diagnostics Produced by the -Qz Parameter on
External
Keywords : MailPCExt MailPCMMTA MailPCWRmt kbtshoot
Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.2,3.2a,3.5
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo
Solution Type : Info_Provided
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