KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q179197: XFOR: Notes Client Receives "Error Loading Metafile"

Article: Q179197
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): 3.2,4.0,5.0,5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbusage
Last Modified: 08-DEC-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5 
- LinkAge Message Exchange, version 3.2 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

This problem occurs when you are using the LinkAge Connector for Lotus Notes 3.2
with Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0 or 5.0, or when you are using Microsoft
Exchange Server 5.5.

The Lotus Notes e-mail client (versions 4.5 and 4.6) may receive an error message
stating "Error loading Metafile" when you open an e-mail message sent from an
Exchange client and delivered either by the Microsoft Exchange Connector for
Lotus Notes (Exchange Server 5.5 Notes Mail Connector [NMC]) or the LinkAge
Connector for Lotus Notes 3.2.

Also, if monitoring connector processing using the Exchange Server Connectivity
Administrator and its logging options, a sequence similar to the following may
be logged:

   1997/12/09 14:34:35- LME-NOTES-MEXOUT(0233) 3 31500:Sender:
  rb 266, Size: 153058, Message ID: c=US;a=
  ;p=Microsoft;l=RICKBOL266-971209193433Z-335

  1997/12/09 14:34:34 NOTES Transform  >> mexe(2916)

  1997/12/09 14:34:39- LME-NOTES-MEXNTS(01a0) 2 41301:Notes
  returned code: 109 (hex)  >> ntshcint(1000)
  *** note the "109" return code ***

  1997/12/09 14:34:39- LME-NOTES-MEXNTS(01a0) 2 41300:Notes
  Package ID: Operating System (OS). Extended Reason String:
  File truncated - file may have been damaged  >>
  ntshcint(1012)
  *** note the "File truncated - file may have been damaged"
  ***

  1997/12/09 14:34:39- LME-NOTES-MEXNTS(01a0) 2 41360:Error
  {Invalid syntax}: adding COMPOSITE BODY item to Notes
  message failed  >> ntshcm(9936)

  1997/12/09 14:34:39- LME-NOTES-MEXNTS(01a0) 2 41360:Error
  {Invalid syntax}: adding COMPOSITE BODY item to Notes
  message failed  >> ntshcm(11767)

CAUSE
=====

The error typically occurs when a user sends a copy of a dialog box that has
appeared on the screen, or does a screen capture image of an application.

With the LinkAge Connector for Lotus Notes 3.2, there were known issues with
mapping various OLE properties between the two e-mail clients. Generally,
graphic objects presented the most obvious interoperability problems. These are
known limitations of the LinkAge Connector for Lotus Notes 3.2.

With Exchange Server 5.5 and its Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes,
OLE object interoperability between Exchange Server and Notes is much improved.
However, bitmap graphics copied into the Windows clipboard (using ALT+PRINT
SCREEN), and subsequently pasted into an e-mail message composed using the
Exchange Client WordMail editor and sent to a Notes recipient, will result in
the "Error loading Metafile" message when the Notes recipient attempts to read
the message.

This error occurs because the Notes client's transform routines fail to properly
process inline bitmaps within the RTF_Body when submitted by the NMC. When the
Notes client subsequently tries to open the rich text format (RTF) object, it
causes an error.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem:

Do not use the WordMail editor to send a screen capture image to Notes
recipients. Use a graphics application to paste the screen capture into another
program, for instance, the Windows Paint utility, before pasting it into the
e-mail message:

1. Capture the screen image by pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN.

2. Start Paint and paste the screen capture image into this program.

3. In Paint, select the image again using Paint tools.

4. On the Edit menu, click Copy.

5. Paste the image into the e-mail message.


MORE INFORMATION
================

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft
Knowledge Base:

  Q183290. XFOR: Notes Client Gets Error Message: Error Loading Metafile

Additional query words: email

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbusage 
Technology        : kbZNotKeyword6 kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2 kbLinkAgeSearch kbLinkAge320
Version           : :3.2,4.0,5.0,5.5
Issue type        : kbprb
Solution Type     : kbpending

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.