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Q196892: XFOR: Dirsync Service Stops Unexpectedly-Event 181 in Event Log

Article: Q196892
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): WinNT:5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): exc55sp2fix
Last Modified: 08-MAY-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.5 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you attempt to start the Microsoft Exchange Directory Synchronization
service, an access violation may occur, and the service may stop unexpectedly.
No error messages are displayed, but the following event may appear in the event
log one or more times:

  Event ID: 181

This problem occurs when the Microsoft Exchange Server computer is configured as
a directory synchronization (dirsync) requestor, and the server and the
Microsoft Mail for PC Networks postoffice are configured to transfer template
information.

CAUSE
=====

This problem can occur when the Exchange Server computer does not properly
process the list of template prompts. The dirsync service assumes that the
strings in the template prompts are zero-terminated, but they are not. This
causes the service to sort the template prompts incorrectly.

In addition, this problem can occur if one or more of the template prompts
contains a trailing slash mark (/). A slash mark is normally used to separate
the template prompt from the template data. When the template prompt contains a
trailing slash mark, a second slash mark is used to separate the template prompt
from the template data. This may cause the dirsync service to determine that two
template prompts are the same when they are not.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Exchange Server
version 5.5. For more information, please see the following article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q191014 XGEN: How to Obtain the Latest Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack


The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or
later:

  Component: Directory Synchronization (Dirsync)

  File Name   Version
  ----------------------
  Dxa.exe     5.5.2396.0


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server
version 5.5.

Additional query words: custom recipient attribute

======================================================================
Keywords          : exc55sp2fix 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange550 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WinNT:5.5
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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