SQL Server Hangs When Sending a Message Using SQLMail

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft SQL Server version 6.5

SYMPTOMS

On a computer running Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 3 (SP3) and Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 installed, when you send a message using xp_sendmail, SQLMail and the SQL Server service may stop responding (hang). You cannot stop the SQL Server service using SQL Enterprise Manager, SQL Service Manager, or the NET STOP MSSQLSERVER command.

CAUSE

This problem, originating in the Windows NT SP3 build of Mapi32.dll, is known to occur when your Windows Messaging mail profile is configured to connect to the Internet (for example, a POP3 mail server) and the SQL Server "priority boost" configuration parameter is set to 1. This may not occur with the first message sent, but may occur on subsequent attempts to send a message.

RESOLUTION

To workaround this problem, set the SQL Server "priority boost" configuration parameter to 0. If, for other reasons, you require this configuration parameter to be set to 1, you can contact Microsoft Windows NT Support to obtain the following fix or wait for the next Windows NT service pack.

This fix should have the following time stamp:

   11/17/97  03:37p               717,072 Mapi32.dll (Intel)
   11/17/97  04:34p             1,195,792 Mapi32.dll (Alpha)

   ARTICLE-ID: Q159425
   TITLE     : PRB: Messages Blocked with SQLMail and Exchange Client

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. 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.