You cannot log on to OWA because of ambiguous mailbox names (198444)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Outlook Web Access 5.5
- Microsoft Outlook Web Access 5.5 SP 1
- Microsoft Exchange Client 5.5 SP2
- Microsoft Exchange Client 5.5 SP3
- Microsoft Exchange Client 5.5 SP4
This article was previously published under Q198444 SYMPTOMS
When you try to log on to a Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA) client, you may
receive one of the following error messages:
Error message 1
HTTP Error 401 401.1 Unauthorized: Logon Failed Error message 2
Failed to get Inbox. Error message 3OWA was unable to get to your Inbox. CAUSE The alias or user name that is specified may not be unique in the Microsoft Exchange Global Address List. Ambiguous names include any Last Name, First Last, or Alias that is entered in the logon screen that is equal to any Last Name, First Last, or Alias for any other mailbox. For example, John Doe's alias is jdoe, and Joseph Doenfron's alias is doe. If Joseph enters his alias in the logon screen, he will receive one of the error messages that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section because of the ambiguity of his alias with John's last name as the server tries to resolve them.
This may occur if you join one or more sites that contain multiple users with the same alias or with the same display name. If an ambiguous (non-unique) name is detected, Microsoft Exchange Server cannot resolve the name to a specific mailbox, and error messages are returned.
When you create a domain account, try to avoid using names with similar prefixes and repeating suffixes. Try to create unique Windows NT domain logon names and unique Exchange Server mailbox alias names.RESOLUTION In Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5 and later, you can enter the following fields for the user's mailbox: - Alias - jamessmith
- Last Name - Smith
- First Last - James Smith
- Last First - Smith James
- Last, First - Smith, James
- user@domain.com - jamessmith@domain.com
For example, if a user's alias name is not unique, the user can enter his or her SMTP address. The SMTP address is more likely to be unique and provides for a greater chance of resolution. The user can then access his or her mailbox.
For additional information about what to do if you receive an error message when you use your SMTP address, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
248081
XWEB: Suddenly and permanently unable to reach Inbox using Outlook Web Access
STATUSMicrosoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 4/28/2005 |
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Keywords: | kbbug kbpending KB198444 kbAudITPRO |
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