XCON: Private Messages Not Always Delivered

• Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 5.0 and 5.5

SYMPTOMS

The original recipient of a private message may not receive the message as expected when the "deliver to both recipient and alternate recipient" option is enabled. (This option is selected on the Delivery Options tab of the recipient's mailbox in the Microsoft Exchange Administrator program.)

The alternate recipient logically does not receive the private message. (See the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, Q178161 “Unable to Send Private Message to Exchange Recipient” for more information.)

The sender receives the following non-delivery report (NDR):

   From: System Administrator
   Subject: Undeliverable: test message

   Your message did not reach some or all of the intended recipients.

      Subject: test message
      Sent: 12/1/97 12:00 PM

   The following recipient(s) could not be reached:

      John Doe on 12/1/97 12:00 PM

   Unable to deliver the message because the originator prohibited
   redirection to an alternate recipient or the message was encrypted
   MSEXCH:MSExchangeMTA:<SiteName>:<ServerName>

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Exchange Server versions 5.0 and 5.5. 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.

MORE INFORMATION

With the new behavior the original recipient effectively receives the private message and the sender still receives a NDR because the alternate recipient is not deserved.

Keywords          : XCON
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix