Exchange supposedly offline - yet has current active users

[Borvik]

Something weird is going on - and I have no clue on how to resolve it. We are using Exchange server 2003, and Outlook XP, 2003, and 2007.

We noticed the problem when a user was having problems with Outlook and I decided to remove his profile and re-add it. I was unable to re-add the profile.

We have about 20 users constantly connected to our Exchange server using Outlook and they are receiving and sending just fine. I have the problem user using OWA just fine for now - though we really want to get him back to using Outlook.

This user is using Outlook 2007 and when setting up the account (either by starting Outlook or the Mail icon in the Control Panel) then name of the server, and user's name are automatically detected just fine, but when attempting to connect to exchange to verify settings I receive the following error:

"The connection to Microsoft Exchange is unavailable. Outlook must be online or connected to complete this action."

I have tried logging in as the user on several other computers and setting up the mail account on them with similar error messages and the same end result: failure.

So I tried currently working users on other machines, and they also met with the same result. This has got me thinking it is something on the Exchange server itself.

We are going through a major reworking of our network - that includes IP address changes (domain controller IP _HAS_ changed). Every computer/server can ping any other computer/server. The computers can ping the servers by IP address, hostname, and internal FQDN.

Any one have any ideas on how to fix this problem?

Thanks.

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

http://www.google.com/search?source...online+or+connected+to+complete+this+action."

 

[TechyMcSe2k]

This guy said it was his Anti-Virus software

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Server_Software/Email_Servers/Exchange/Q_23360196.html

 

[Borvik]

I'll try disabling the Anti-Virus software - though we haven't had a problem doing this before on the same clients and same anti-virus before our network work.

As far as the google search - I have run that exact search actually. The top result from MS and the registry fix - didn't work as the registry keys were not there. Of the other likely links (ie matched my problem), I couldn't find one that had a CLEAR posted solution (anti-virus guy excepted) - at least one that I understood enough to implement.

I had someone look at it, and he mentioned something about the Global Catalog - but I haven't heard from him in a couple of days. (search results also mentioned something about the global catalog)

The exchange server can ping the domain controller just fine - by IP address _AND_ name.

I'll post back with the results of the anti-virus test.

 

[Borvik]

Disabling the Anti-Virus had no effect.

 

[Borvik]

Our 3rd party network guy had another crack at it today, and managed to solve the issue. We are not 100% sure what caused it, but as soon as I have some more information from him I'll post what we think the solution was.

 

[Zelandakh]

Nice to find that someone is prepared to post their solution.