Article ID: 262865
Article Last Modified on 10/28/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q262865
SYMPTOMS
An Mtacheck.out subfolder that contains .dat files may be located in the Exchsrvr\Mtadata folder. If you add the .dat files that are located in the Mtacheck.out subfolder to the parent Mtadata folder, a variety of error messages may be displayed and erratic behavior may occur.
CAUSE
This issue can occur because the Mtacheck.out subfolder contains message data .dat files or corresponding reference .dat files that the message transfer agent (MTA) cannot process.
The Mtacheck utility creates the Mtacheck.out subfolder automatically. When you run the Mtacheck utility, files are placed in the Mtacheck.out subfolder because they cannot be processed by the MTA for various reasons, typically because a data .dat file does not have a corresponding reference .dat file, or a reference .dat file does not have a corresponding data .dat file.
If you use certain switches to run the Mtacheck utility, some Exchange Server system messages may also be removed to the Mtacheck.out subfolder, such as directory replication messages, public folder replication messages, or link monitor messages. You do not need to replace these files because they will be automatically resent.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, do not re-add the files that are located in the Mtacheck.out subfolder to the parent Mtadata folder. If you do, a variety of error messages are displayed, and erratic behavior occurs. The .dat files that are located in the Mtacheck.out subfolder were removed for a reason, and are only retained for reference and for troubleshooting.
NOTE: You can only run the Mtacheck utility if there are no .dat files in the Mtacheck.out subfolder. If you want to keep the files that are located there for further research or troubleshooting, rename the Mtacheck.out subfolder. When you run the Mtacheck utility again, it automatically re-creates the Mtacheck.out subfolder.
MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about the Mtacheck utility and the .dat files that are located in the Mtacheck.out subfolder, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
163326 XCON: How and Why to Run Mtacheck
Keywords: kbprb KB262865
