Microsoft KB Archive/101444

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Mac Wkst: Unable to Access Local Mail File

Article ID: Q101444
Creation Date: 14-JUL-1993
Revision Date: 21-OCT-1994 The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk Networks, version 3.1

SYMPTOMS


When attempting to sign into a mail account with version 3.1 of Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk Networks, the following alert dialog may be displayed:

   This account is unable to access its local Mail file. Please
   enter the password of the last account to use the Local Mail
   File. To work without a Local Mail file, select Cancel.

CAUSE

Microsoft Mail writes a file to the Preferences folder on the local user's hard drive. This file can store mail locally. This file follows the naming convention of the user login to the server. Additionally, for security reasons, this file contains a copy of the user password used when logging into the mail server.

The above alert is most commonly displayed when a user has forgotten the password to his or her mail account. The Network Manager can reset the password from the mail server; however, this interface does not allow the Network Manager the remote capability to reset the password of the local data file.

This alert message can also be displayed if the user has multiple accounts such as "Network Manager" with different passwords assigned. As the network manager signs into different servers, the password he or she enters to log in to the server is also being checked against the password stored in the local mail file. If the passwords do not match, the above message will be displayed.

RESOLUTION


If the alert message is displayed as a result of the user forgetting their password and the Network Manager resetting the server-based password, the resolution is to rebuild the local data file with the Mail Tools application. For security reasons, Microsoft recommends only the Network Manager perform this function.

If the alert message is displayed as a result of multiple accounts and different passwords, simply enter the password that was used last or click Cancel. If you choose Cancel, any mail stored locally will not be available.

MORE INFORMATION


In addition to the resolutions listed above, the user can simply delete the Local Data File from his or her machine if no mail has been stored locally. Mail stored locally is identified by folders with black tabs across the top of the folder. If you are not sure whether local folders have been used, it is best to rebuild the Local Data File to reduce the risk of deleting mail.

To delete the Local Data File, open the System folder, then the Preferences folder. Within that folder, another folder titled MS Mail Local Folders appears. Open that folder and drag the file that corresponds to the user to the Trash.



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©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.


Additional reference words: 3.10
KBCategory: kbother kberrmsg
KBSubcategory: MailATWkst