PC Adm: Err Msg: Notice 36 Error Reading Groups

• Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 2.1x, 3.0, 3.0a, 3.2

SYMPTOMS

With versions 2.1x, 3.0, 3.0a, and 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, when you create or modify postoffice groups, the following error may occur:

Notice 36
Error Reading Groups

CAUSE

This error can be caused by a missing or corrupt GROUP.GLB file.

The GROUP.GLB file contains a series of records; each contains a delete flag, a group name, and a pointer into the ADMIN.GRP file. This record in the ADMIN.GRP file contains the user's name and a pointer to the next member's record of this group. Basically, a group's members form a chain within the ADMIN.GRP file.

RESOLUTION

NOTE: To test for corruption in the GROUP.GLB file, subtract 4 from the file size and divide by 51; it should divide out to a whole number.

To resolve the problem either restore from backup, or if a backup is not available, you need to reset the PO groups to the same state as a new installation of a postoffice:

1. Delete all files in the MEM subdirectory (if any exist).



2. Install a dummy PO.



3. Copy the GROUP.GLB file (4 bytes) to GRPMEM.GLB. Copy ADMIN.GRP (8 bytes) to ADMINSHD.GRP.
   
   This will return the PO to the same state as a new installation, for example no installed groups.
   
   You can also use debug to reset the GROUP.GLB file and ADMIN.GRP files. If you want to use this second method, see the example below:

   debug group.glb
   -f,100,103,0
   -rcx
   CX ????
   :4
   -w
   writing 0004 bytes
   -q




4. To maintain the consistency of the Mail data files, you must reset the GROUP.GLB file in the Microsoft Mail postoffice GLB subdirectory:
   
   
   1. Run the MS-DOS DEBUG command as follows: debug group.glb
   
   
   
   2. At the DEBUG hyphen prompt, type the following and press ENTER:

      f,100,103,00

   
   
   
   3. At the DEBUG hyphen prompt, type the following and press ENTER:

      rcx

   
   
   
   4. The following lines are displayed:

      CX 0000
      :

      After the colon, type the following and press ENTER:

      4

   
   
   
   5. At the hyphen prompt, type the following and press ENTER:

      w

      You will now see:

      writing 00004 bytes

   
   
   
   6. At the hyphen prompt, type the following and press ENTER:

      q

      This returns you to the MS-DOS prompt.
   
   
   

MORE INFORMATION

The resetting of group files can be automated. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q129500 PC Adm: Automating the Resetting of Group Files with GIMPORT

Additional query words: 2.10x 3.00 3.00a 3.20 admin

Keywords : MailPCAdm
Version : WINDOWS:2.1x,3.0,3.0a,3.2
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :