Outlook users having trouble connecting to Exchange 2000

[ScottWIT]

I've got an issue that seems to be happening more and more frequently. We run Exchange 2000 on a Windows 2000 DC. My users use both Outlook 2003 and 2007. I keep hearing that users cannot connect to Exchange upon first opening up Outlook and the only way to fix it seems to be to reboot their PC and then reopen Outlook. Is this an issue that lies with the Exchange server? I reboot the server about once a month but that doesn't seem to really help the issue.

 

[noveyron]

Shame about the Exchange on a DC, but it happens.

What does an ipconfig show on a non connecting client? Can it ping the server, can the server see it, etc etc...

 

[Zelandakh]

Look at the Exchange Server event log.

You shouldn't need to restart servers...you've got a problem somewhere.

 

[Davetoo]

I keep hearing about...", have you verified for yourself that this issue exists? Just want to be sure because a lot of times working on a user complaint gets us chasing ghosts.

If it does exists...as has been said, verify DNS and error logs.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[ScottWIT]

Yes, when the issue happens I can ping the exchange server from the client and see the entire network as usual.

Yes, I have verified that the issue exists. Seems the only way I could "fix" it was to take Outlook clients off cached mode or having the user reboot their PC and reopen Outlook. This isn't really finding the source of the problem, of course.

 

[Zelandakh]

Can you start, run \\servername?

Are you running WINS?